Indoor unit of air conditioner

ABSTRACT

An objective of the invention is to obtain a structure which allows a cleaning mechanism, such as dust removal means, for an air filter to be easily mounted in an indoor unit of an air conditioner that has an air filter on the intake side of an indoor fan. The indoor unit is constituted by a main unit ( 10 ) including an indoor heat exchanger ( 22 ) and an indoor fan ( 21 ) for blowing air taken from a room to the indoor heat exchanger ( 22 ), a cleaning unit ( 100 ) located on the room side of the main unit ( 10 ) and including an air filter ( 30 ) and dust removal means ( 50 ) for removing dust captured by the air filter ( 30 ), and an indoor panel ( 11 ) for covering the room side of the cleaning unit ( 100 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to indoor units of air conditioners thatare configured to remove dust captured by an air filter.

BACKGROUND ART

Indoor units of air conditioners which have an air filter at an airinlet and which has dust removal means for removing dust captured by theair filter have been known. The indoor unit of this type is configuredto suction dust adhering to the air filter by using a suction nozzle asdust removal means, or configured to scrape the dust off by using abrush as the dust removal means, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2,for example.

Both of these structures include structural components, such as a heatexchanger and an indoor fan, disposed in a box-like casing, and includean air filter, dust removal means, etc. at an inlet of the indoor fan.Further, the room side of the casing is covered with an indoor panel.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-83612

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-40689

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

However, according to the structure like the above-describedconventional structures in which not only a heat exchanger and an indoorfan, but also an air filter and dust removal means are disposed, thedust removal means for the air filter cannot be easily attached to theindoor unit, or the dust removal means cannot be easily excluded fromthe indoor unit in response to the user's request. Thus, a problemarises in terms of the versatility of the indoor unit.

The present invention was made in view of the above problem, and it isan objective of the invention to allow a cleaning mechanism, such asdust removal means, for an air filter to be easily mounted in an indoorunit of an air conditioner that has an air filter on the intake side ofan indoor fan.

Solution to the Problem

To achieve the above objective, an indoor unit (3) of an air conditioner(1) according to the present invention is constituted by a main unit(10) having an indoor heat exchanger (22) and an indoor fan (21), acleaning unit (100) having an air filter (30) and dust removal means(50), and an indoor panel (11). Therefore, the cleaning unit (100) forremoving dust captured by the air filter (30) can be easily mounted anddetached.

Specifically, according to the first aspect of the present invention isintended for an indoor unit of an air conditioner, the indoor unithaving in a casing (18) an indoor heat exchanger (22), an indoor fan(21) for blowing air taken from a room to the indoor heat exchanger(22), and an air filter (30) located on an intake side of the indoor fan(21).

The indoor unit includes a main unit (10) including the indoor heatexchanger (22) and the indoor fan (21), a cleaning unit (100) located ona room side of the main unit (10) and having the air filter (30) anddust removal means (50) for removing dust captured by the air filter(30), and an indoor panel (11) for covering a room side of the cleaningunit (100).

This structure enables the cleaning unit (100) having the dust removalmeans (50) for removing dust captured by the air filter (30) to beeasily attached to and detached from the main unit (10) which is aconventional indoor unit. For example, the cleaning unit (100) may beattached to the main unit (10) to obtain an indoor unit having acleaning mechanism for the air filter (30). That is, whether or not toprovide the cleaning unit (100) can be easily changed according to theuser's request. Thus, cleaning functions can be added or deleted moreeasily, compared to the conventional structures. As a result, theversatility of the indoor unit can be increased.

In the above structure, the cleaning unit (100) includes dust collectingmeans (90) located in an area outside the air filter (30) in plan view,for collecting the dust removed by the dust removal means (50) (thesecond aspect of the present invention).

The provision of the dust collecting means (90), in the cleaning unit(100), for collecting the dust removed from the air filter (30) by thedust removal means (50) allows the dust removed from the air filter (30)to be stored for a certain period of time without collecting the dustevery time the dust is removed. Therefore, the frequency of the user'swork collecting the dust can be reduced. In addition, the abovestructure eliminates the need to install the dust collecting means (90)separately. Therefore, installation work can be reduced, compared to thecase where the dust collecting means (90) is provided outside the indoorunit (3). Moreover, it is possible to achieve a compact structure as awhole, compared to the structure where the dust collecting means (90) isprovided outside the indoor unit (3).

Further, the dust collecting means (90) is located in an area outsidethe air filter (30) in plan view. Therefore, flow of the air taken bythe indoor fan (21) through the air filter (30) can be reliablyprevented from being obstructed by the dust collecting means (90).

Further, it is preferable that the cleaning unit (100) further includesdust transfer means (80) for transferring the dust to the dustcollecting means (90) (the third aspect of the present invention).

With this structure, the dust removed by the dust removal means (50) canbe reliably transferred to the dust collecting means (90), andtherefore, the dust can be efficiently collected in the dust collectingmeans (90).

In particular, it is preferable that the dust transfer means (80)transfers the dust to the dust collecting means (90) by utilizing theair blown by the indoor fan (21) (the fourth aspect of the presentinvention).

Utilizing the air blown by the indoor fan (21) for transfer of the dustenables the dust to be more reliably transferred into the dustcollecting means (90), and can increase the dust collection efficiency.Moreover, since the indoor fan (21) is used to transfer the dust asdescribed above, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism (e.g., afan) dedicated to the dust transfer. Therefore, costs can be reduced,and it is possible to achieve the indoor unit (3) of a compactstructure.

Further, it is preferable that the dust collecting means (90) isprovided with a receiving opening (94) into which the air blown by theindoor fan (21) flows together with the dust, and a discharge opening(91) for discharging the blown air to the outside of the cleaning unit(100), and a filter (92) is disposed on an upstream side of thedischarge opening (91) (the fifth aspect of the present invention).

This structure causes an air flow which flows into the dust collectingmeans (90) from the receiving opening (94) and flows out from thedischarge opening (91), in the case where the dust is transferred byutilizing flow of the air. This means that air can smoothly flow in thedust collecting means (90). As a result, dust can be efficientlytransferred into the dust collecting means (90) due to the air flow, andcan be efficiently collected in the dust collecting means (90).

Moreover, as described above, the filter (92) on the upstream side ofthe discharge opening (91) of the dust collecting means (90) can morereliably prevent the dust from being discharged to the outside throughthe discharge opening (91) together with the air. As a result, dustcollection efficiency in the dust collecting means (90) can be furtherincreased.

Further, it is preferable that the dust collecting means (90) has abox-like shape, and the receiving opening (94) is formed in one sideportion of the dust collecting means (90), and the discharge opening(91) is formed in the other side portion of the dust collecting means(90) (the sixth aspect of the present invention).

This structure allows the air to flow in the box-like dust collectingmeans (90) from one side to the other side, and therefore, it ispossible to reduce air flow resistance in the dust collecting means(90). As a result, the dust can be more efficiently transferred into thedust collecting means (90) by utilizing the air flow.

Further, it is preferable that main partition plates (23, 24) covering abottom side of the casing (18) of the main unit (10) are provided withan introduction opening (86 d) for introducing the air blown by theindoor fan (21) into the cleaning unit (100), and the main unit (10) isconfigured such that a sealing cover (95) for closing the introductionopening (86 d) can be attached to the main unit (10) from below (theseventh aspect of the present invention).

With this structure, the air blown by the indoor fan (21) can beprevented from escaping from the introduction opening (86 d) formed inthe main partition plate (23, 24) of the main unit (10), in the casewhere the indoor unit (3) is constituted by the main unit (10) and theindoor panel (11) without the cleaning unit (100). That is, the sealingcover (95) for closing the introduction opening (86 d) formed in themain partition plate (23, 24) of the main unit (10) can prevent the airblown by the indoor fan (21) from escaping uselessly in the case wherethe cleaning unit (100) is not provided, and can prevent reduction inoperational efficiency during air conditioning operation.

Further, in the above structures, the dust removal means (50) mayinclude dust removal section (51, 52, 61) for removing the dust capturedby the air filter (30), and a storage section (62) for collecting thedust removed by the dust removal section (51, 52, 61) (the eighth aspectof the present invention).

According to this structure, the dust removed from the air filter (30)with the dust removal section (51, 52, 61) is temporarily stored in thestorage section (62). Thus, the dust can be prevented from diffusinginto the surrounding space, and at the same time, the removed dust canbe efficiently transferred into the dust collecting means (90).

Further, it is preferable that the dust removal means (50) is configuredto be capable of moving between a dust removal position at which thedust removal means (50) overlaps with the air filter (30) in plan view,and a maintenance position at which the dust removal means (50) does notoverlap with the air filter (30) in plan view (the ninth aspect of thepresent invention).

According to this structure, the dust removal means (50) is moved to amaintenance position which does not overlap with the air filter (30)during maintenance, for example. Thus, it is possible to detach the airfilter (30) without detaching the dust removal means (50). As a result,it is possible to improve the efficiency of maintenance.

Specifically, in the case where the air filter (30) has a circular shapein plan view, it is preferable that the main partition plates (23, 24)covering the bottom side of the casing (18) of the main unit (10) areprovided with the introduction opening (86 d) for introducing the airblown by the indoor fan (21) into the cleaning unit (100), and the dustremoval means (50) is arranged to extend in a radial direction of theair filter (30), with one end of the dust removal means (50) connectedto the introduction opening (86 d), and is rotatable about theintroduction opening (86 d) (the tenth aspect of the present invention).

With this structure, the dust removal means (50) can be rotated alongthe circular air filter (30), and therefore, the dust removal means (50)can be switched between the dust removal position and the maintenanceposition, as described in the ninth aspect of the present invention.That is, the dust removal means (50) is arranged to extend in a radialdirection of the air filter (30), with its one end connected to theintroduction opening (86 d) formed in the main partition plates (23, 24)of the main unit (10), and is rotatable about the introduction opening(86 d). Thus, as described above, the dust removal means (50) can beeasily switched between the dust removal position and the maintenanceposition.

Further, it is preferable that the main unit (10) and the cleaning unit(100) further include electrical component boxes (20, 105),respectively, in which electrical components for controlling componentparts (21, 40, 50, 70, 80) in the units (10, 100) are accommodated, andthe electrical component boxes (20, 105) are electrically connected toeach other so as to be capable of transmission of an electric signal(the eleventh aspect of the present invention).

As described above, separate electrical component boxes (20, 105) areprovided for the main unit (10) and the cleaning unit (100). Therefore,the units can be independent from each other. In other words, theelectrical component box (105) dedicated to the cleaning unit (100) isprovided to the cleaning unit (100) as well, which makes it possible,for example, to add the cleaning unit (100) to an existing indoor unit.As a result, the versatility of the cleaning unit (100) can beincreased. In addition, the electrical component boxes (20, 105) for themain unit (10) and cleaning unit (100) are electrically connected toeach other so as to be capable of transmission of an electric signal,and therefore, operations of the units (10, 100) can be linked.

Further, it is preferable that a bottom side of the casing (18) of themain unit (10) is provided with a protrusion portion (145); anengagement portion (146) to be engaged with the protrusion portion (145)is provided on a partition plate (25) covering a top side of the casing(101) of the cleaning unit (100); and the partition plate (25) of thecleaning unit (100) is provided with a transparent portion (147) whichallows a visual check of the engagement portion between the protrusionportion (145) and the engagement portion (146) from under the cleaningunit (100) (the twelfth aspect of the present invention).

With this structure, the main unit (10) and the cleaning unit (100) canbe easily attached to each other by the protrusion portion (145)provided below the main unit (10) and the engagement portion (146)provided on the partition plate (25) of the cleaning unit (100). Inaddition, when the protrusion portion (145) and the engagement portion(146) are engaged with each other, the engagement portion cannot bechecked from below because of the partition plate (25) covering the topside of the cleaning unit (100). However, as described above, thetransparent portion (147) which is provided on the partition plate (25)and which allows a visual check of the engagement portion, enables auser to check the engagement portion during attachment. Thus, theprovision of the transparent portions (147) can improve the efficiencyin attaching the cleaning unit (100).

Further, it is preferable that the cleaning unit (100) includes dustcollecting means (90) located in an area outside the air filter (30)which is circular in plan view, for collecting the dust removed by thedust removal means (50); the main unit (10) and the cleaning unit (100)further include electrical component boxes (20, 105), respectively, inwhich electrical components for controlling component parts (21, 40, 50,70, 80) in the units (10, 100) are accommodated; main partition plates(23, 24) covering a bottom side of the casing (18) of the main unit (10)are provided with an introduction opening (86 d) for introducing the airblown by the indoor fan (21) into the cleaning unit (100); the dustremoval means (50) is arranged to extend in a radial direction of theair filter (30), with one end of the dust removal means (50) connectedto the introduction opening (86 d), and is rotatable about theintroduction opening (86 d); the electrical component box (105) for thecleaning unit (100) and the dust collecting means (90) are disposedbelow a chamber partition plate (25) covering a top side of the casing(101) of the cleaning unit (100), in the area outside the air filter(30) in plan view and outside an area where the dust removal means (50)rotates; and the chamber partition plate (25) located above the dustcollecting means (90) is provided with an opening (25 a) to be coveredwith a cover member (106), and the electrical component box (20) for themain unit (10) is located so as to correspond to the opening (25 a) (thethirteenth aspect of the present invention).

With this structure, maintenance of the air filter (30) and thecomponent box (20) in the main unit (10) can be performed withoutdetaching the cleaning unit (100) located below the main unit (10). Thatis, the dust removal means (50) is rotated to move to a position atwhich the dust removal means (50) does not overlap with the air filter(30) in plan view, thereby making it possible to detach the air filter(30) and allowing access to the electrical component box (20) of themain unit (10) through the opening (25 a) by detaching the dustcollecting means (90). As a result, with the above structure, theefficiency in performing maintenance can be improved.

Further, the cleaning unit (100) may further include dust collectingmeans (90) for collecting the dust removed by the dust removal means(50); the dust collecting means (90) may be connected to the dustremoval means (50) through a duct (88) which constitutes a transferpath; and the duct (88) may be detachably connected to at least one ofthe dust collecting means (90) and the dust removal means (50) (thefourteenth aspect of the present invention).

As described, the duct (88) serving as a transfer path connectingbetween the dust removal means (50) and the dust collecting means (90)is detachably connected to at least one of the dust removal means (50)and the dust collecting means (90). Thus, the duct (88) can be easilyattached and detached when the dust collecting means (90) is detached,for example, at the time of maintenance. This can improve the efficiencyin performing maintenance.

Further, it is preferable that the indoor panel (11) has an inlet grill(12) for covering the intake side of the indoor fan (21); the inletgrill (12) is provided with a nozzle insertion portion (110) into whicha nozzle (150) of a cleaner can be inserted; and the nozzle insertionportion (110) communicates with the dust collecting means (90) when thenozzle (150) is inserted into the nozzle insertion portion (110) (thefifteenth aspect of the present invention).

Thus, to collect, from the room side, the dust collected in the dustcollecting means (90), the nozzle (150) of a cleaner is inserted intothe nozzle insertion portion (110) provided at the inlet grill (12) onthe room side, and thereby, the dust in the dust collecting means (90)can be suctioned with the nozzle (150). Thus, with the above structure,an effort in collecting the dust can be saved. As a result, the dustcollection efficiency can be improved.

Further, it is preferable that the indoor panel (211) is provided with aholding portion (213) for holding the air filter (230) (the sixteenthaspect of the present invention). With this structure, the air filter(230) can be held on the indoor panel (211). Thus, it is possible toremove the cleaning unit (100) and attach the indoor panel (211)directly to the main unit (10).

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

As described above, according to the present invention, the indoor unit(3) of the air conditioner (1) is constituted by the main unit (10)having the indoor heat exchanger (22) and the indoor fan (21), thecleaning unit (100) having the air filter (30) and the dust removalmeans (50), and the indoor panel (11) covering the room side of the mainunit (10) and the cleaning unit (100). Thus, a cleaning mechanism forthe air filter (30) can be easily added to or removed from the main unit(10). As a result, the versatility of the indoor unit can be increased.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cleaningunit (100) is provided with the dust collecting means (90) forcollecting dust. Thus, the frequency of work collecting the dust removedby the dust removal means (50) can be reduced, thereby making itpossible to reduce maintenance work. Moreover, the dust collecting means(90) is located in an area outside the air filter (30). Therefore, theair flowing into the air filter (30) can be reliably prevented frombeing obstructed by the dust collecting means (90).

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, thecleaning unit (100) includes the dust transfer means (80) fortransferring the dust removed by the dust removal means (50) to the dustcollecting means (90). Thus, the dust can be efficiently collected inthe dust collecting means (90). In particular, according to the fourthaspect of the present invention, the dust transfer means (80) transfersthe dust to the dust collecting means (90) by utilizing the air blown bythe indoor fan (21). Thus, the dust can be transferred to the dustcollecting means (90) more reliably, and can be collected in the dustcollecting means (90) more efficiently. Moreover, according to the fifthaspect of the present invention, the dust collecting means (90) isprovided with the receiving opening (94) and the discharge opening (91),and the filter (92) is disposed on the upstream side of the dischargeopening (91). Thus, the air can smoothly flow in the dust collectingmeans (90), and the filter (92) can prevent the dust from flowing outtogether with the air. As a result, the dust can be efficientlycollected in the dust collecting means (90). Further, according to thesixth aspect of the present invention, the receiving opening (94) isformed in one side of the box-like dust collecting means (90), whereasthe discharge opening (91) is formed in the other side of the dustcollecting means (90). With this structure, the air can flow in the dustcollecting means (90) more efficiently, and the dust can be collected inthe dust collecting means (90) more efficiently.

Further, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, themain unit (10) is configured such that the sealing cover (95) forclosing the introduction opening (86 d), which is formed in the mainpartition plates (23, 24) covering the casing (18) from below, can beattached to the main unit (10). Thus, the air blown by the indoor fan(21) can be prevented from escaping uselessly in the structure in whichthe cleaning unit (100) is not provided. As a result, reduction in theoperational efficiency during air conditioning operation can be avoided.

Further, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, thedust removal means (50) includes the dust removal section (51, 52, 61)for removing dust on the air filter (30), and the storage section (62)for collecting the removed dust. Thus, the dust removed by the dustremoval section (51, 52, 61) can be collected in the storage section(62), and as a result, can be efficiently transferred into the dustcollecting means (90).

Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, thedust removal means (50) is configured to be capable of moving betweenthe dust removal position at which the dust removal means (50) overlapswith the air filter in plan view, and the maintenance position at whichthe dust removal means (50) does not overlap with the air filter. Thus,it is not necessary to remove the dust removal means (50) in order todetach the air filter (30) or perform maintenance. As a result, theefficiency in performing maintenance can be improved. In particular,according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the air filter(30) has a circular shape. The dust removal means (50) is arranged toextend in a radial direction of the air filter (30), with one end of thedust removal means (50) connected to the introduction opening (86 d)formed in the main partition plates (23, 24) located below the main unit(10), and is rotatable about the introduction opening (86 d). Thus, thedust removal means (50) can be easily switched between the dust removalposition and the maintenance position, relative to the air filter (30).As a result, the efficiency in performing maintenance can be reliablyimproved.

Further, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, themain unit (10) and the cleaning unit (100) include the electricalcomponent boxes (20, 105), respectively. These electrical componentboxes (20, 105) are connected to each other so as to be capable oftransmission of an electric signal, and therefore, the cleaning unit(100) can be easily attached, as an independent unit, to an existingindoor unit or the like. Moreover, even if the electrical componentboxes (20, 105) are provided separately for respective units asdescribed above, operations of the electrical component boxes (20, 105)can be linked to each other by connecting the electrical component boxes(20, 105) so as to be capable of signal transmission.

Further, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, thebottom side of the casing of the main unit (10) is provided with theprotrusion portion (145), and the engagement portion (146) to be engagedwith the protrusion portion (145) is provided on the partition plate(25) of the cleaning unit (100). Therefore, the main unit (10) and thecleaning unit (100) can be easily attached to each other. In addition,the partition plate (25) is provided with the transparent portions (147)which allow a visual check of the engagement portion between theprotrusion portion (145) and the engagement from portion (146) frombelow. Therefore, it is possible for the user to visually check, duringattachment, the engagement portion between the protrusion portion (145)and the engagement portion (146) through the transparent portions (147).As a result, working efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention,dust removal means (50) is arranged to extend in a radial direction ofthe circular air filter (30), with its one end connected to theintroduction opening (86 d) for introducing the air blown by the indoorfan (21), and is rotatable about the introduction opening (86 d). Theopening (25 a) which passes through the chamber partition plate (25) isformed above the dust collecting means (90) located in the area outsidethe area where the dust removal means (50) rotates and the area outsidethe air filter (30). The electrical component box (20) of the main unit(10) is placed so as to correspond to the opening (25 a). Thus, it ispossible to perform maintenance of the air filter (30) and theelectrical component box (20) of the main unit (10) without detachingthe dust removal means (50) and the cleaning unit (100), and as aresult, the efficiency in performing maintenance can be improved.

Further, according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention,the duct (88) which constitutes a transfer path between the dustcollecting means (90) and the dust removal means (50) is detachablyconnected to at least one of the dust collecting means (90) and the dustremoval means (50). Therefore, the dust collecting means (90) can beeasily detached from the cleaning unit (100) at the time of maintenance,and as a result, the efficiency in performing maintenance can beimproved.

Further, according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, theinlet grill (12) of the indoor panel (11) is provided with the nozzleinsertion portion (110) for inserting the nozzle (150) of a cleaner. Thenozzle insertion portion (110) communicates with the dust collectingmeans (90) when the nozzle (150) is inserted therein. Therefore, thedust collected in the dust collecting means (90) can be easily suctionedfrom the room side by the nozzle (150) of the cleaner, and as a result,the efficiency in collecting dust can be improved.

Further, according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, theindoor panel (211) is provided with the holding portion (213) forholding the air filter (230). Thus, it is possible to remove thecleaning unit (100) and attach the indoor panel (211) directly to themain unit (10). As a result, the versatility of the indoor unit (3) canbe increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a pipeline for illustrating a structure of an airconditioner having an indoor unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section for illustrating a structure insidethe indoor unit.

FIG. 3 is an exploded oblique view for illustrating each unit thatconstitutes the indoor unit.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an oblique view for illustrating structures of an air vent ina partition plate, an air filter, and a dust storage container.

FIG. 6 is a cross section for illustrating an attachment structure ofthe air filter.

FIG. 7 is an oblique view for illustrating a structure of filter drivemeans.

FIG. 8 shows dust removal means and a dust storage container viewedobliquely from above.

FIG. 9 shows a dust storage container viewed obliquely from below.

FIG. 10 is a cross section taken along the line X-X in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows cross sections taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 8, forillustrating a movement of a rotating brush during a dust removaloperation and a brush cleaning operation.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross section of an introduction duct.

FIG. 13 shows cross sections for illustrating a movement of a damper ofthe dust transfer means.

FIG. 14 shows partial cross sections from which part of a decorativepanel viewed from the room side is omitted.

FIG. 15 is an oblique view for illustrating a connecting relationshipbetween a damper box and a nozzle insertion portion.

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross section for illustrating a structure of anozzle insertion portion.

FIG. 17 is an oblique view for illustrating structures of a nozzleconnecting portion and a valve.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross section of a connecting portion between anozzle insertion portion and a flexible duct.

FIG. 19 is an oblique view for illustrating a structure for temporarilyhanging a cleaning unit on a main unit.

FIG. 20 is an oblique view for illustrating an indoor unit mounted abovethe ceiling.

FIG. 21 is an oblique view for illustrating a main unit and a cleaningunit attached to each other.

FIG. 22 is an oblique view for illustrating a cleaning unit from which adust collecting box is detached.

FIG. 23 is an oblique view for illustrating a cleaning unit from whichan air filter and a service cover are detached.

FIG. 24 is a figure corresponding to FIG. 19, to which a cleaning unitis not provided.

FIG. 25 is a figure corresponding to FIG. 12, to which a cleaning unitis not provided and in which an introduction opening is closed by asealing cover.

FIG. 26 is a figure corresponding to FIG. 24, to which a cleaning unitis not provided and in which an air filter is attached to a decorativepanel.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   -   1 Air Conditioner    -   3 Indoor Unit    -   10 Main Unit    -   11, 211 Decorative Panel (Indoor Panel)    -   12, 212 Inlet Grill    -   18 Main Casing (Casing)    -   20 Electrical Component Box    -   21 Indoor Fan (Component Part)    -   22 Indoor Heat Exchanger    -   23 Drain Pan (Main Partition Plate)    -   24 Bell Mouth (Main Partition Plate)    -   25 Partition Plate (Chamber Partition Plate)    -   25 a Service Hole (Opening)    -   30, 230 Air Filter    -   40 Filter Drive Means (Component Part)    -   50 Dust Removal Means (Component Part)    -   51 Rotating Brush (Dust Removal Section)    -   52 Cleaning Brush (Dust Removal Section)    -   60 Dust Storage Container    -   61 Removal Section (Dust Removal Section)    -   62 Storage Section    -   70 Storage Amount Detection Means (Component Part)    -   80 Dust Transfer Means (Component Part)    -   86 Introduction Duct    -   86 d Introduction Opening    -   88 Transfer Duct (Duct)    -   90 Dust Collecting Box (Dust Collecting Means)    -   91 Discharge Opening    -   92 Filter    -   94 Receiving Opening    -   95 Sealing Cover    -   100 Cleaning Unit    -   101 Chamber Casing (Casing)    -   105 Electrical Component Box    -   110 Nozzle Insertion Portion    -   106 Service Cover (Cover Member)    -   145 Hook (Protrusion Portion)    -   146 Fitting for temporary hanging (Engagement Portion)    -   147 Transparent Portion    -   213 Holding Portion

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailhereinafter with reference to the drawings. The following embodimentsare merely preferred examples in nature, and are not intended to limitthe scope, applications, and use of the invention.

The present embodiment relates to an air conditioner (1) having anindoor unit (3) according to the present invention. According to thisair conditioner (1), the indoor unit (3) is mounted in the ceiling of aroom. In the following description, a structure of the air conditioner(1) according to the present embodiment will be described first, andthen, a structure of the indoor unit (3) will be described.

<General Structure>

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner (1) includes an outdoor unit (2)and an indoor unit (3). A compressor (4), an outdoor heat exchanger (5),an expansion valve (6), a four-way switching valve (7), and an outdoorfan (8) are provided in the outdoor unit (2). An indoor heat exchanger(22) and an indoor fan (21) are provided in the indoor unit (3).

In the outdoor unit (2), the discharge side of the compressor (4) isconnected to a first port (P1) of the four-way switching valve (7). Theintake side of the compressor (4) is connected to a third port (P3) ofthe four-way switching valve (7).

The outdoor heat exchanger (5) is a fin-and-tube heat exchanger ofcross-fin type. One end of the outdoor heat exchanger (5) is connectedto a fourth port (P4) of the four-way switching valve (7). The other endof the outdoor heat exchanger (5) is connected to a liquid side closingvalve (9 a).

The outdoor fan (8) is located close to the outdoor heat exchanger (5).The outdoor heat exchanger (5) exchanges heat between the outside airtaken by the outdoor fan (8) and a refrigerant flowing in the heatexchanger (5). An expansion valve (6) whose degree of opening isvariable is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger (5) and theliquid side closing valve (9 a). Further, a second port (P2) of thefour-way switching valve (7) is connected to a gas side closing valve (9b).

The four-way switching valve (7) is capable of switching between a firststate (the state as shown in solid line in FIG. 1) in which the firstport (P1) and the second port (P2) communicate with each other and inwhich the third port (P3) and the fourth port (P4) communicate with eachother, and a second state (the state as shown in broken line in FIG. 1)in which the first port (P1) and the fourth port (P4) communicate witheach other and in which the second port (P2) and the third port (P3)communicate with each other.

The air conditioner (1) performs a heating operation when the four-wayswitching valve (7) is in the first state, and performs a coolingoperation when the four-way switching valve (7) is in the second state.During the heating operation, a vapor compression refrigeration cycle inwhich the outdoor heat exchanger (5) serves as an evaporator and theindoor heat exchanger (22) serves as a condenser, is performed in therefrigerant circuit shown in FIG. 1. In contrast, during the coolingoperation, a vapor compression refrigeration cycle in which the outdoorheat exchanger (5) serves as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger(22) serves as an evaporator, is performed in the refrigerant circuitshown in FIG. 1.

<Structure of Indoor Unit>

A structure of the indoor unit (3) will be described in detailhereinafter with reference to FIGS. 2-4.

As shown FIGS. 2 and 3, the indoor unit (3) includes a main unit (10)having the indoor fan (21) and the indoor heat exchanger (22), acleaning unit (100) placed on the room side of the main unit (10), and adecorative panel (11) which covers the room side of the cleaning unit(100). That is, the indoor unit (3) is constituted by the main unit(10), the cleaning unit (100) and the decorative panel (11) stacked inthis order from the top as shown in FIG. 3.

The main unit (10) has a box-like main casing (18) which is open towardthe room. The indoor fan (21), the indoor heat exchanger (22), a drainpan (23), a bell mouth (24), and an electrical component box (20) aredisposed in the main casing (18). According to the present embodiment,part of the drain pan (23) and part of the bell mouth (24) constitute amain partition plate which covers a bottom side of the main casing (18)of the main unit (10).

A heat insulation (17) is attached to the inner surface of the maincasing (18). The main casing (18) is supported on and suspended from thewall above the ceiling such that the opening of the main casing (18) ispositioned on the room side, as described later.

The indoor fan (21) is a so-called “turbo fan.” As shown in FIG. 2, theindoor fan (21) is located at a generally central location of the maincasing (18) of the main unit (10), and positioned above an inlet (13) ofthe decorative panel (11) described later. The indoor fan (21) has a fanmotor (21 a) and an impeller (21 b). The fan motor (21 a) is fixed tothe top plate of the main casing (18). The impeller (21 b) is connectedto the shaft of the fan motor (21 a).

The bell mouth (24) is provided under the indoor fan (21) so as tocommunicate with the inlet (13). In the interior of the indoor unit (3),the bell mouth (24) partitions the space on the upstream side of theindoor heat exchanger (22) into a space on the indoor fan (21) side anda space on the inlet grill (12) side, as shown in FIG. 2. The provisionof the bell mouth (24) allows the air drawn by the indoor fan (21) froma space under the bell mouth (24) to be blown out in a circumferentialdirection in a space above the bell mouth (24).

Further, the main partition plate of the present embodiment that isconstituted by the bell mouth (24) and the drain pan (23), is providedwith an opening (24 a) at a location corresponding to one of fourcorners of the rectangular parallelepiped main casing (18), as shown inFIG. 3. The opening (24 a) constitutes an introduction opening of anintroduction duct (86) described later.

In the case where the indoor unit (3) does not include the cleaning unit(100) (but includes only the main unit (10)), the opening (24 a) isclosed by a sealing cover (95) from below so that the air blown by theindoor fan (21) will not escape from the opening (24 a) (see FIG. 24 andFIG. 25). The sealing cover (95) is fixed to the main partition plates(23, 24) of the indoor unit (10) with screws (96) as shown in FIG. 25.

The indoor heat exchanger (22) has a generally square shape in planview, and is arranged in the main casing (18) so as to surround theindoor fan (21). The indoor heat exchanger (22) exchanges heat betweenthe room air taken by the indoor fan (21) (blown air) and therefrigerant flowing in the heat exchanger (22).

The drain pan (23) is placed under the indoor heat exchanger (22). Thedrain pan (23) is for receiving drain water generated as a result ofcondensation of water vapor in the air at the indoor heat exchanger(22). The drain pan (23) is provided with a drain pump (not shown) fordraining drain water. Further, the drain pan (23) is inclined so thatthe drain water is collected at a place where the drain pump isprovided.

The electrical component box (20) accommodates various types ofelectrical components for controlling operations of component parts,such as the indoor fan (21) in the indoor unit (3). As shown in FIG. 3,the electrical component box (20) is positioned under the bell mouth(24) and is located in an area outside the inlet of the indoor fan (21)in plan view so as not to overlap with the inlet of the indoor fan (21).According to the present embodiment, the electrical component box (20)is placed at a location opposite to the opening (24 a) formed in thebell mouth (24), with the inlet of the indoor fan (21) interposedbetween the opening (24 a) and the electrical component box (20).

The cleaning unit (100) includes a generally rectangular chamber casing(101) in plan view, in which a circular air filter (30), dust removalmeans (50), dust transfer means (80), and a dust collecting box (90)(dust collecting means), etc. are disposed. Specifically, the cleaningunit (100) is configured to be capable of removing dust which adheres tothe air filter (30) located on the intake side of the indoor fan (21) byusing the dust removal means (50), of transferring the removed dust intothe dust collecting box (90) by using the dust transfer means (80), andof storing the dust in the dust collecting box (90), as will bedescribed in detail later.

The chamber casing (101) is configured to have the same size as the sizeof the main casing (18) of the main unit (10), and is located on theroom side of the main casing (18), with a sealing member (102)sandwiched between the main casing (18) and the chamber casing (101), asshown in FIG. 2. Further, a decorative panel (11) is attached to theroom side of the chamber casing (101), with a sealing member (103)sandwiched between the chamber casing (101) and the decorative panel(11).

Further, the chamber casing (101) is provided with four air paths (101a) along each side of the chamber casing (101). Each air path (101 a)communicates with the space in the main casing (18) that is created inthe outer peripheral region of the indoor heat exchanger (22) in themain unit (10), so that the air after heat exchange with the refrigerantby the indoor heat exchanger (22) can flow toward the room. That is, theair having flowed in the air paths (101 a) formed in the chamber casing(101) is supplied to the room through the outlet (14) formed in thedecorative panel (11). In the chamber casing (101), as shown in FIG. 2,the inner side portions of the air paths (101 a) support, from below,the drain pan (23) of the main unit (10), with a sealing member (104)sandwiched therebetween.

Although not particularly shown in the drawings, the inner and outersurfaces of the chamber casing (101) are covered with a heat insulation.Also, walls of the air paths (101 a) formed in the chamber casing (101)are covered with a heat insulation as well.

The decorative panel (11) has a rectangular, plate-like shape in planview (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 2, the decorative panel (11) isslightly larger in size than the main casing (18) of the main unit (10)and the chamber casing (101) of the cleaning unit (100) in plan view. Asdescribed above, the decorative panel (11) is attached to the chambercasing (101) so as to cover the bottom side of the chamber casing (101),with the sealing member (103) sandwiched between the chamber casing(101) and the decorative panel (11). Thus, the decorative panel (11) isexposed to the room as shown in FIG. 3.

Further, the decorative panel (11) is provided with one inlet (13) andfour outlets (14, 14, . . . ) as shown in FIG. 3. The inlet (13) has agenerally rectangular shape, and is disposed in a central portion of thedecorative panel (11). An inlet grill (12) having a slit portion (12 a),described later, is fitted in the inlet (13). The outlets (14) have anelongated rectangular shape, and are provided along sides of thedecorative panel (11) so as to correspond to the air paths (101 a, 101a, . . . ) of the cleaning unit (100). Further, each outlet (14) isprovided with a wind direction control plate (15) (see, e.g., FIG. 2).The wind direction control plate (15) is rotatable and therefore capableof adjusting the wind direction (blowout direction).

The inlet grill (12) is a cover member having, at its central portion,the slit portion (12 a) with a plurality of slit openings, and isattached to the decorative panel (11) such that the inlet grill (12)covers the inlet (13) of the decorative panel (11). Further, as will bedescribed in detail later, the inlet grill (12) is provided with anozzle insertion portion (110) for inserting a nozzle (150) of acleaner. The nozzle (150) of the cleaner can be inserted in the nozzleinsertion portion (110) so that the dust stored in the dust collectingbox (90) can be collected by the cleaner.

Further, the decorative panel (11) is provided with an LED (16) whichlights, for example, when the amount of dust stored in the dustcollecting box (90) of the cleaning unit (100) exceeds a predeterminedamount, or when the dust removal means (50) is removing the dustadhering to the air filter (30), as described later.

<Structure of Cleaning Unit>

Now, an internal structure of the cleaning unit (100) will be describedin detail hereinafter, with reference to drawings FIGS. 4-14.

As described above, the cleaning unit (100) includes the generallyrectangular chamber casing (101), in which the air filter (30), the dustremoval means (50), the dust transfer means (80), the dust collectingbox (90), and the electrical component box (105), etc. are disposed. Thecleaning unit (100) is for cleaning the air filter (30) located underthe inlet of the indoor fan (21) of the main unit (10).

Also, the cleaning unit (100) is provided with the partition plate (25)(a chamber partition plate) covering the lower side of the bell mouth(24). The partition plate (25) partitions a space between the bell mouth(24) and the inlet grill (12) into upper and lower spaces as shown, forexample, in FIG. 2. That is, the partition plate (25) separates thespace on the upstream side of the indoor heat exchanger (22) into aspace on the indoor heat exchanger (22) side, the space including thebell mouth (24), and a space on the inlet grill (12) side.

An air vent (26) for allowing air taken through the inlet (13) to flowinto the bell mouth (24) is provided in the central portion of thepartition plate (25), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The air filter (30)covers the air vent (26) from below. In other words, the partition plate(25) is provided so as to close the space between the inner side wall ofthe chamber casing (101) of the cleaning unit (100) and the air filter(30). With this structure, all the air taken through the inlet (13)passes through the air filter (30). Consequently, dust contained in theupstream air flow can be reliably prevented from flowing in thedownstream side of the partition plate (25) without being captured bythe air filter (30), owing to the provision of the partition plate (25).

The air vent (26) formed in the partition plate (25) is a circular hole,which is divided into sectors by four radial beam members (27) extendingin a radial direction. The radial beam members (27) are connected toeach other at the center of the circular air vent (26). The center ofthe air vent (26) is provided with a cylindrical, filter turning shaft(28) which protrudes downward from the center of the air vent (26). Thefilter turning shaft (28) is a rotating shaft for rotating the airfilter (30). Further, one of the radial beam members (27) is providedwith two filter pressing members (29) for pressing the air filter (30)against the rotating brush (51) of the dust removal means (50) fromabove.

As will be described in detail later, a service hole (25 a) (opening) isprovided at a side of the air vent (26) formed in the partition plate(25) such that the service hole (25 a) is connected to the air vent(26). A service cover (106) (a cover member) is positioned to close theservice hole (25 a) (see FIGS. 22 and 23).

As shown in FIG. 5, the air filter (30) is located under the air vent(26) formed in the partition plate (25), and has a disk-like shape whosediameter is larger than the diameters of the bell mouth (24) and the airvent (26). Specifically, the air filter (30) includes a ring-shapedfilter body (31) and a mesh member (37). The outer peripheral surface ofthe filter body (31) is provided with a gear (32). A center portion ofthe filter body (31) is provided with a cylindrical shaft insertionportion (33) supported by six radial ribs (34) which extend in a radialdirection. In other words, each radial rib (34) extends radially fromthe shaft insertion portion (33) to be connected to the filter body(31). Further, the inner side of the filter body (31) is provided with aring-shaped inner circumferential rib (35) and an outer circumferentialrib (36) which are concentric with the filter body (31). The diameter ofthe outer circumferential rib (36) is larger than the diameter of theinner circumferential rib (35). Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the innerdiameter of the shaft insertion portion (33) is larger than the diameterof the filter turning shaft (28) formed on the partition plate (25) andthe diameter of the head of a fastening screw (28 a) described later.

The mesh member (37) is stretched over the filter body (31). The airtaken through the inlet (13) passes through the mesh member (37) of theair filter (30), and flows into the bell mouth (24). Here, the dust inthe air is captured by the mesh member (37).

Further, the air filter (30) is biased downward by the above-describedfilter pressing members (29) which abut on each upper surface of thering-shaped circumferential ribs (35, 36). Thus, the air filter (30) ispressed against a rotating brush (51), described later, of the dustremoval means (50). With this structure, it is possible to improve thedust removal efficiency of the dust removal means (50).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shaft insertion portion (33) of the airfilter (30) is rotatably fitted to the filter turning shaft (28) of thepartition plate (25). A dust storage container (60) of the dust removalmeans (50) is located under the air filter (30). The filter turningshaft (28) is inserted in the shaft insertion portion (33) of the airfilter (30), and in this state, a filter attachment portion (68) of thedust storage container (60), described later, and the shaft insertionportion (33) of the partition plate (25) are fastened to each other withthe fastening screw (28 a). This structure allows the air filter (30) tobe kept between the partition plate (25) and the dust storage container(60).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a filter drive means (40) for rotating theair filter (30) is provided at a location close to the air filter (30).The filter drive means (40) includes a filter drive motor (41) and alimit switch (44) as shown in FIG. 7. The drive shaft of the filterdrive motor (41) is provided with a drive gear (42), which engages withthe gear (32) of the air filter (30). One end surface of the drive gear(42) (the lower surface in the drawing) is provided with a switchactuating portion (43) which is a protrusion. The switch actuatingportion (43) abuts against a lever (44 a) of the limit switch (44) bythe rotation of the drive gear (42), and thereby moves the lever (44 a).When the lever (44 a) moves, the limit switch (44) detects the movementof the lever (44 a). In other words, the switch actuating portion (43)and the limit switch (44) detect the rotation of the drive gear (42),and therefore, it is possible to detect timing of actuation of the dustremoval means (50) according to the number of rotations of the drivegear (42), or detect a malfunction in the case where the drive gear (42)does not rotate.

Next, the dust removal means (50), the storage amount detection means(70), the dust transfer means (80), and the dust collecting box (90),which are provided in the cleaning unit (100), will be described withreference to FIGS. 8-14.

The dust removal means (50) is for removing dust captured by the airfilter (30). The dust removal means (50) includes, as shown in FIGS. 10and 11, a rotating brush (51) and a cleaning brush (52), which are brushmembers, brush drive means (53), and a dust storage container (60) forstoring the removed dust. As shown in FIG. 10, the rotating brush (51)and the cleaning brush (52) are provided in the brush opening (63) ofthe dust storage container (60).

The rotating brush (51) includes an elongated, cylindrical shaft (51 a)and a brush (51 b) located on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft(51 a). The brush (51 b) includes a plurality of piles. Further, thebrush (51 b) is provided on part of the outer surface of the shaft (51a) in a circumferential direction, along an axial direction of the shaft(51 a).

The cleaning brush (52) is provided close to the rotating brush (51) andcan come into contact with the rotating brush (51). The cleaning brush(52) includes a main portion (52 a), a brush (52 b), and a spring (52c). The main portion (52 a) is a plate-like member, and the length ofthe main portion (52 a) is the same as that of the shaft (51 a) of therotating brush (51). The main portion (52 a) is positioned at apredetermined distance from the outer peripheral surface of the rotatingbrush (51), and faces the rotating brush (51). The upper portion of themain portion (52 a) has an arc shape so that the upper portion can bealong the outer peripheral surface of the shaft (51 a) of the rotatingbrush (51). The arc-shaped upper portion of the main portion (52 a) isprovided with the brush (52 b) along a lengthwise direction of the mainportion (52 a). The spring (52 c) is constituted by a plate spring. Oneend of the spring (52 c) is connected to a lower end of the main portion(52 a), and the other end of the spring (52 c) is connected to an innerwall of the dust storage container (60). That is, the lower end of themain portion (52 a) is supported by the spring (52 c).

Each of the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) has a lengththat is equal to or longer than the radius of the circular air filter(30), and radially extends outward from the center of the circular airfilter (30). That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the dust removal means (50) isarranged so as to extend in a radial direction of the air filter (30).

The brush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51) comes into contact with themesh member (37) of the rotating air filter (30), and thereby removesdust from the mesh member (37). Further, the rotating brush (51) isrotated by the brush drive means (53) in one direction and the oppositedirection, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The brush drive means (53)includes a brush drive motor (54), and a drive gear (55) and a drivengear (56) which are engaged with each other, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.The drive gear (55) is attached to a drive shaft of the brush drivemotor (54). The driven gear (56) is attached to one end of the shaft (51a) of the rotating brush (51). This structure allows the rotation of thebrush drive motor (54) to be transferred to the rotating brush (51) byway of the drive gear (55) and the driven gear (56), and therebyrotating the rotating brush (51).

According to the above structure, when the rotating brush (51) isrotated by the brush drive means (53), the brush (52 b) of the cleaningbrush (52) comes into contact with the brush (51 b) of the rotatingbrush (51), and the cleaning brush (52) removes the dust from the brush(51 b) of the rotating brush (51). In other words, the cleaning brush(52) is for removing dust from the rotating brush (51), and therebycleaning the rotating brush (51), and the brush drive means (53) is forrotating the rotating brush (51) such that the dust captured by thebrush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51) is scraped off by the cleaningbrush (52).

Further, both brushes (51 b, 52 b) of the rotating brush (51) and thecleaning brush (5) are made of pile fabric. The pile fabric is a plushmaterial made on a base fabric in which yarn (pile yarn) is interwoven,and the length of the pile is relatively short. Further, the pile fabricis an inclined pile material in which pile is inclined in a certaindirection.

Specifically, piles of the brush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51) areinclined leftward from the shaft (51 a) as shown in FIG. 10. That is,the piles of the brush (51 b) are inclined in a direction opposite tothe rotational direction of the air filter (30). Therefore, the rotationof the air filter (30) in the direction opposite to the direction alongwhich the piles of the brush (51 b) are inclined, enables the dustcaptured by the mesh member (37) to be scraped off efficiently.

Further, piles of the brush (52 b) of the cleaning brush (52) areinclined obliquely downward from the main portion (52 a) as shown inFIG. 10. That is, the piles of the brush (52 b) are inclined in adirection opposite to the rotational direction of the rotating brush(51) when the rotating brush (51) rotates clockwise in FIG. 10.Therefore, the rotation of the rotating brush (51) in the directionopposite to the direction along which the piles of the brush (52 b) ofthe cleaning brush (52) are inclined, enables the dust adhering to thebrush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51) to be removed with the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush (52).

The dust removal operation of the rotating brush (51) and the cleaningbrush (52) will be described in detail later.

The dust storage container (60) is for collecting and temporarilystoring dust removed from the rotating brush (51) by the cleaning brush(52). The dust storage container (60) is a columnar container whoseupper portion protrudes rightward relative to the lower portion thereofin side view (when viewed from the right side of FIG. 8), which meansthat the dust storage container (60) is slightly bent at the middle toform an inclined V-shape in side view. The upper portion of the duststorage container (60) is a removal section (61) in which the rotatingbrush (51) for removing dust adhering to the air filter (30) and othersare disposed. The lower portion of the dust storage container (60) is astorage section (62) for storing dust removed from the air filter (30)with the rotating brush (51). The dust removal section of the presentinvention corresponds to the structure in which the rotating brush (51)and the cleaning brush (52) are disposed in the removal section (61) ofthe dust storage container (60).

Specifically, the removal section (61) has, in its top surface, a brushopening (63) extending in a lengthwise direction of the removal section(61). As mentioned above, the cleaning brush (52) and the rotating brush(51) of the dust removal means (50) are located in the brush opening(63).

Further, one surface of the removal section (61) is provided with theabove-mentioned filter attachment portion (68). The filter attachmentportion (68) is a protrusion having a generally U-shape in plan viewwhich is open toward the direction along which the removal section (61)protrudes from the storage section (62). Further, as shown in FIG. 6,the width dimension of the inner side of the U-shape of the filterattachment portion (68) is larger than the diameter of the screw portionof the fastening screw (28 a) which is screwed into the filter turningshaft (28) of the partition plate (25), and is smaller than the diameterof the filter turning shaft (28).

According to this structure, as shown in FIG. 6, the fastening screw (28a) is screwed into the filter turning shaft (28), with the air filter(30) sandwiched between the filter attachment portion (68) and theradial beam members (27) of the partition plate (25). Therefore, the airfilter (30) can be fixed between the filter attachment portion (68) andthe partition plate (25). To detach the air filter (30), the fasteningscrew (28 a) is loosened, and the dust storage container (60) having thefilter attachment portion (68) is rotated in a direction opposite to thedirection along which the removal section (61) protrudes (opposite tothe direction to which the filter attachment portion (68) opens),thereby making it possible to remove only the filter attachment portion(68), which holds the air filter (30) from below, from under the shaftinsertion portion (33) of the air filter (30), with the fastening screw(28 a) being screwed into the filter turning shaft (28). As mentionedabove, the inner diameter of the shaft insertion portion (33) of the airfilter (30) is larger than the diameter of the filter turning shaft (28)of the partition plate (25) and the diameter of the fastening screw (28a), and that is why the air filter (30) can be removed from under theshaft insertion portion (33).

With this attachment structure of the air filter (30), the air filter(30) can be easily detached without removing the fastening screw (28 a).

The lower side (bottom side) of the storage section (62) protrudes tohave an arc shape in cross section. The dust removed from the rotatingbrush (51) with the cleaning brush (52) falls into the arc portion ofthe storage section (62) and is stored in the arc portion. Further, thestorage section (62) has a cylindrical shape, and is open at both ends(66, 67) along its longitudinal direction. A damper box (81) of the dusttransfer means (80), described later, is connected to the first endportion (66) of the storage section (62), and a transfer duct (88) ofthe dust transfer means (80), described later, is connected to thesecond end portion (67) of the storage section (62).

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the dust storage container (60) isprovided with storage amount detection means (70) for detecting anamount of dust stored in the storage section (62). The storage amountdetection means (70) includes an LED (72) and a phototransistor (73)accommodated in a sensor box (71). The sensor box (71) is providedcloser to the second end portion (67) of the storage section (62) of thedust storage container (60), and extends in a transverse direction ofthe storage section (62) and covers the bottom portion of the storagesection (62) (see FIGS. 5, 8 and 9). The LED (72) and thephototransistor (73) are disposed in the sensor box (71) so as to opposeeach other, with the storage section (62) interposed therebetween in thetransverse direction of the storage section (62). Further, a firsttransparent window (64) and a second transparent window (65), which arerespectively corresponding to the LED (72) and the phototransistor (73),are formed in the wall of the storage section (62).

In the storage amount detection means (70) according to the abovestructure, light emitted by the LED (72) passes through the transparentwindow (64) and then the second transparent window (65), and thereafter,the luminous intensity of the light is detected by the phototransistor(73). The amount of dust stored in the storage section (62) (i.e., theamount of dust filling the storage section (62)) can be checkedaccording to the luminous intensity detected by the phototransistor(73). Specifically, in the case where the amount of dust stored issmall, the transmittance of light passing from the first transparentwindow (64) to the second transparent window (65) in the storage section(62) is high, and therefore, the luminous intensity detected by thephototransistor (73) is high. In contrast, in the case where the amountof dust stored is large, the transmittance of light passing from thefirst transparent window (64) to the second transparent window (65) inthe storage section (62) is low, and therefore, the luminous intensitydetected by the phototransistor (73) is low. Therefore, according to thestorage amount detection means (70), it is possible to determine that alarge amount of dust is stored in the storage section (62) in the case,for example, where the luminous intensity is a certain value or less.Thus, if the storage amount detection means (70) detects that the duststorage amount in the storage section (62) is large even after a dusttransfer operation by the dust transfer means (80), described later, fortransferring dust in the storage section (62), it is possible todetermine that the dust collecting box (90), to which the dust is to betransferred, is full.

Further, as described above, the storage amount detection means (70) isprovided closer to the second end portion (67) of the storage section(62) that is connected to a transfer duct (88). Therefore, even in thecase where the second end portion (67) is clogged with dust while thedust is transferred and stored in the dust collecting box (90) throughthe transfer duct (88), the clogging can be detected by the storageamount detection means (70). That is, according to the structure of thepresent embodiment, the storage amount detection means (70) is providedat a location close to the second end portion (67) of the storagesection (62) to which the transfer duct (88) is connected, because thatportion is most likely to be clogged with the dust. As a result, it ispossible to reliably detect the clogging with dust.

The dust transfer means (80) includes the above-mentioned damper box(81) and the transfer duct (88), and an introduction duct (86) and asuction duct (87), as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 12, and 13.

The damper box (81) has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. One end ofthe damper box (81) along the longitudinal direction thereof isconnected to the first end portion (66) of the storage section (62). Adamper (82), which is an opening and closing member, is provided in thedamper box (81) as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. When the damper (82) isclosed, the interior space of the damper box (81) is partitioned intotwo chambers along the longitudinal direction of the damper box (81).That is, the interior space of the damper box (81) is partitioned by thedamper (82) into a first chamber (81 a) on the other side and a secondchamber (81 b) on the one side to which the dust storage container (60)is connected. As mentioned above, the first end portion (66) of thestorage section (62) is connected to the second chamber (81 b) formed onthe one side of the damper box (81). The second chamber (81 b) and thestorage section (62) communicate with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, the dust transfer means (80) includes adamper drive motor (83), a drive gear (84), and a driven gear (85), foropening and closing the damper (82). The drive gear (84) is connected toa drive shaft of the damper drive motor (83). The driven gear (85) isconnected to a rotating shaft of the damper (82). The drive gear (84)and the driven gear (85) are disposed to engage each other. Thisstructure allows the rotation of the damper drive motor (83) to betransferred to the rotating shaft of the damper (82) by way of the gears(84, 85). As a result, the damper (82) rotates about its rotating shaftaccording to the rotation of the damper drive motor (83), and therebyperforming opening and closing movements.

One end of the introduction duct (86) is connected to the upper surfaceof the damper box (81), and communicates with the first chamber (81 a)in the damper box (81). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, theother end of the introduction duct (86), which extends vertically upwardfrom the damper box (81) and goes through the partition plate (25)between the cleaning unit (100) and the main unit (10), is connected toa protrusion portion of the drain pan (23) of the main unit (10). Theintroduction duct (86) includes an upstream duct (86 a) and a downstreamduct (86 b) each having a circular cross section. The two members (86 a,86 b) are connected to each other in a vertical direction with afastening screw (86 c).

The cross-sectional area (the flow path area) of the upstream duct (86a) is larger than the cross-sectional area (the flow path area) of thedownstream duct (86 b). The lower end (the lower side in FIG. 12) of thedownstream duct (86 b) is connected to the upper surface of the damperbox (81), whereas the upper end (the upper side in FIG. 12) of theupstream duct (86 a) comes in contact with the horizontally-extendingprotrusion portion of the drain pan (23), with a sealing member (86 e)interposed therebetween. An introduction opening (86 d), which is athrough hole, is formed in the protrusion portion of the drain pan (23).The introduction opening (86 d) allows the upstream duct (86 a) tocommunicate with the space on the indoor fan (21) side. That is, theintroduction duct (86) is configured to introduce the air blown by theindoor fan (21) into the damper box (81).

Further, the connecting portion between the upstream duct (86 a) and thedownstream duct (86 b) of the introduction duct (86) is located at athrough hole in the partition plate (25). Specifically, the ducts (86 a,86 b) are connected to each other in such a manner that the periphery ofthe through hole formed in the partition plate (25) is sandwichedbetween a bottom plate of the upstream duct (86 a) and an upper endflange of the downstream duct (86 b). This structure allows the upperend of the introduction duct (86) to be connected to the bell mouth(24), with the periphery of the through hole in the partition plate (25)sandwiched between a bottom plate of the upstream duct (86 a) and anupper end flange of the downstream duct (86 b) to avoid dropping of theintroduction duct (86).

Further, because of the structure in which the periphery of the throughhole formed in the partition plate (25) is sandwiched between the bottomplate of the upstream duct (86 a) and the upper end flange of thedownstream duct (86 b) as described above, the connecting portionbetween the upstream duct (86 a) and the downstream duct (86 b) isrotatable with respect to the partition plate (25). Moreover, accordingto the present embodiment, the portion at which the upstream duct (86 a)and the sealing member (86 e) come in contact with each other isrotatable as well. Therefore, the introduction duct (86), the damper box(81), and the dust removal means (50) can rotate integrally with eachother about the shaft (introduction opening) of the introduction duct(86).

One end, i.e., intake side, of the suction duct (87) is connected to abottom surface on the one end of the damper box (81), and communicateswith the second chamber (81 b) in the damper box (81), as shown, forexample, in FIGS. 13 and 14. The other end, i.e., discharge side, of thesuction duct (87) is connected to a nozzle insertion portion (110)provided on the decorative panel (11). The nozzle insertion portion(110) has an opening for inserting a nozzle (150) of the cleaner forsuction, as described in detail below.

Specifically, the suction duct (87) includes a connecting pipe (87 a)rotatably attached to the lower surface of the damper box (81), and aflexible duct (87 b) for connecting the connecting pipe (87 a) and thenozzle insertion portion (110) of the decorative panel (11), as shown inFIG. 14. Owing to the structure in which the connecting pipe (87 a) isrotatably connected to the damper box (81) and in which the connectingpipe (87 a) and the nozzle insertion portion (110) are connected by thedeformable, flexible duct (87 b) as described above, the damper box (81)and the nozzle insertion portion (110) can be reliably connected to eachother even if the direction of the slit portion (12 a) of the inletgrill (12) is changed at the time of installation when viewed frombelow, as shown in FIG. 14. Thus, the direction of the slit portion (12a) of the inlet grill (12) can be freely changed according to the user'spreferences.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, one end of the transfer duct (88) is connected tothe second end portion (67) of the storage section (62) of the duststorage container (60), and the other end of the transfer duct (88) isconnected to a dust collecting box (90), described later. The transferduct (88) allows the dust storage container (60) and the dust collectingbox (90) to communicate with each other, and dust can be transferredthrough the transfer duct (88). The transfer duct (88) is made of aflexible tube.

In the dust transfer means (80) having the above structure, the damper(82) in the damper box (81) is closed during a normal operationperforming heating and cooling operations (see FIG. 13 (A)). Thus, theair blown by the indoor fan (21) is not guided into the second chamber(81 b) of the damper box (81). On the other hand, the damper (82) of thedamper box (81) is opened in the case where the dust in the dust storagecontainer (60) is transferred to the dust collecting box (90) (see FIG.13 (B)). Thus, the air blown by the indoor fan (21) is guided into thedust storage container (60) through the introduction duct (86) and thedamper box (81). As a result, the dust in the dust storage container(60) flows through the transfer duct (88) together with the guided air,and is transferred into the dust collecting box (90). In other words,the dust in the dust storage container (60) can be removed from insidethe dust storage container (60) and can be transferred to a certainplace by opening the damper (82) in the damper box (81) and utilizingthe air blown by the indoor fan (21).

Further, in the dust transfer means (80), the damper (82) in the damperbox (81) is closed as well, in the case where the dust collected in thedust collecting box (90) is discharged to the outside of the casing (10)(FIG. 13 (C)). In this case, as described in detail later, the dust inthe dust collecting box (90) is suctioned by a cleaner from the nozzleinsertion portion (110) through the transfer duct (88), the damper box(81), and the suction duct (87).

As mentioned above, the dust collecting box (90) is for storing dusttransferred from inside the dust storage container (60). The dustcollecting box (90) has a slightly elongated, generally rectangularparallelepiped shape, and is located under the partition plate (25) likethe dust storage container (60) as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 4.Further, the dust collecting box (90) is positioned on a lateral side ofthe air filter (30) along one edge of the partition plate (25) such thatthe dust collecting box (90) does not overlap with the air filter (30)in plan view (such that the dust collecting box (90) is located in anarea outside the air filter (30)). In the present embodiment, the dustcollecting box (90) is positioned at a location that is opposite to thedamper box (81) with the air filter (30) interposed therebetween, andunder the electrical component box (20) and the service cover (106) ofthe main unit (10) (see FIGS. 21-23). Moreover, in order to reliablyprevent interference with the air filter (30), the dust collecting box(90) is configured such that a side plate on the air filter (30) sidehas an arc shape so as to correspond to the outer periphery of the airfilter (30). In the present embodiment, the dust collecting box (90) islocated in an area outside the air filter (30) in plan view. However,the “area outside the air filter (30)” may include an area where part ofthe dust collecting box (90) overlaps with the air filter (30) in planview, as long as the dust collecting box (90) does not interrupt airflow.

Further, a side surface of one end portion (one side portion) of thedust collecting box (90) is provided with a receiving opening (94), andthe other end of the transfer duct (88) is connected to the receivingopening (94). On the other hand, the other end portion (the other sideportion) of the dust collecting box (90) goes through the chamber casing(101) of the cleaning unit (100), and the end surface of the other endportion is provided with a discharge opening (91) that is open to theoutside of the chamber casing (101). In other words, the dust collectingbox (90) is provided with the discharge opening (91) at its one end thatis opposite to the side to which the transfer duct (88) is connected,and therefore, air can flow smoothly in the interior of the dustcollecting box (90) in its longitudinal direction. In addition, part ofthe dust collecting box (90) that is on the discharge opening (91) sidehas a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of theother part of the dust collecting box (90). Here, the referencecharacter 93 in FIG. 4 is a sealing member for sealing, from theinterior side of the casing, the portion of the dust collecting box (90)that goes through the chamber casing (101).

Further, a filter (92) is provided in the dust collecting box (90) at alocation close to the discharge opening (91). When dust is transferredinto the dust collecting box (90) from the dust storage container (60),the filter (92) captures the transferred dust and does not allow thedust to flow out through the discharge opening (91), while allowing theair to be discharged through the discharge opening (91). Further, whendust is taken from the dust collecting box (90) by suction of a cleaner,room air flows into the dust collecting box (90) through the dischargeopening (91). However, dust in the air which flows into the dustcollecting box (90) is captured by the filter (92).

As described above, the pressure in the dust collecting box (90) isproperly balanced by the intake and discharge of air through thedischarge opening (91). Thus, the dust transfer operation to the dustcollecting box (90) and the dust discharge operation from the dustcollecting box (90) are properly done.

The electrical component box (105) accommodates electronic componentsfor controlling the actuation of the filter drive means (40), the dustremoval means (50), and the dust transfer means (80), etc, in thecleaning unit (100). The electronic components in the electricalcomponent box (105) are electrically connected, for example via signallines, to the electronic components in the electrical component box (20)of the main unit (10) so that signals can be transmitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrical component box (105) ispositioned under the partition plate (25) of the cleaning unit (100), ona side next to the side along which the dust collecting box (90) islocated, and opposite to the damper box (81) connected to the duststorage container (60) with the air filter (30) interposed between thedamper box (81) and the electrical component box (105). With thisstructure, it is possible to reliably prevent the interference of theelectrical component box (105) with the dust storage container (60) whenthe dust storage container (60) is rotated to detach, for maintenance,the service cover (106) and the air filter (30) provided at thepartition plate (25) of the cleaning unit (100).

<Nozzle Insertion Portion>

Next, a nozzle insertion portion (110) to which the suction duct (87) isconnected will be described in detail with reference to the FIGS. 15-18.The nozzle insertion portion (110) is provided outside the slit portion(12 a) of the inlet grill (12). The nozzle insertion portion (110)includes a box-like cover member (111) provided on the ceiling side ofthe inlet grill (12), as shown in FIG. 16. The cover member (111) isconstituted by an upper cover (116) having a rectangular parallelepipedshape, and a downwardly opening, box-like lower cover (117), which areconnected one above the other. A first space (114) is formed in theupper cover (116), and a second space (115) is formed in the lower cover(117).

The upper cover (116) is rotatably connected to the lower cover (117).Specifically, the bottom face of the upper cover (116) is provided witha circular opening (116 a), and the upper surface of the lower cover(117) is provided with an engagement portion (117 a) which can beengaged with the periphery of the opening (116 a). The upper cover (116)can rotate relative to the lower cover (117), with the periphery of theopening (116 a) being engaged with the engagement portion (117 a). Thatis, the engagement portion (117 a) of the lower cover (117) includes acylindrical body (117 b) which corresponds to the opening (116 a) of theupper cover (116) and which protrudes upward from the upper surface ofthe lower cover (117), and a protrusion portion (117 c) which isprovided at the end of the protrusion of the cylindrical body (117 b)and which protrudes radially outward. As shown in FIG. 16, the peripheryof the opening (116 a) formed in the lower surface of the upper cover(116) is sandwiched between the protrusion portion (117 c) and the uppersurface of the lower cover (117), and thereby, the upper cover (116) canbe rotatably engaged with the lower cover (117). Although notspecifically shown in the drawing, the upper cover (116) is divided inits width direction (in a vertical direction of FIG. 16). Thus, theupper cover (116) may be attached to the lower cover (117) such that theengagement portion (117 a) of the lower cover (117) is fit between thedivided parts of the upper cover (116).

One of side surfaces of the upper cover (116) is inclined so as toextend upward and outward. The side surface is provided with an opening(116 b) for duct that is open obliquely downward. The other end of theflexible duct (87 b) of the suction duct (87) is detachably connected tothe opening (116 b) for duct in a manner as described below. The opening(116 b) for duct is covered with a valve (126) from inside the uppercover (116). The valve (126) is rotatably supported by the upper cover(116) at the upper end of the valve (126), and is provided with aprotrusion portion (126 a) which protrudes from the upper end of thevalve (126) toward the interior of the upper cover (116). As isdescribed in detail below, the protrusion portion (126 a) is in contactwith part of a piston member (120), and the valve (126) is configured tobe opened and closed by the up-and-down movements of the piston member(120).

The inlet grill (12) is provided with an opening (12 b) whichcorresponds to the lower cover (117). Two plate-like cover members (112,112) (covers) are arranged next to each other in the opening (12 b), andare attached to the lower cover (117) such that the cover members (112,112) can rotate upward about the inner periphery portions of the opening(12 b) which oppose to each other. That is, the cover members (112) aredisposed so as to be open upward like double doors. Further, a springmember (113) is provided between the rotational axis side of therespective cover members (112) and the inner surface of the lower cover(117). The cover members (112) are biased by the spring member (113) ina closing direction. Thus, the cover members (112) are always closed inthe state in which the nozzle (150) of the cleaner is not inserted asshown in the FIG. 16 (A). Therefore, it is difficult to see the insideof the nozzle insertion portion (110) from the room side, which canprevent dust from flowing into the room.

The inner surface of the cylindrical body (117 b) of the engagementportion (117 a) of the lower cover (117) constitutes an insertionthrough hole (117 d) into which a nozzle connecting portion (121),described later, of the piston member (120) is inserted. That is, thebody (117 b) of the engagement portion (117 a) serves as a guide whenthe nozzle connecting portion (121) slides. This structure enables thenozzle connecting portion (121), i.e., the piston member (120), to moveup and down smoothly.

The piston member (120) includes a nozzle connecting portion (121) withwhich the nozzle (150) of a cleaner comes into contact, and a shaft(122) integrally formed with the nozzle connecting portion (121) andlocated on the nozzle connecting portion (121). The nozzle connectingportion (121) has a hemispherical shape which protrudes into the roomside, and its upper side is covered with a flat plate (121 a). The endof the protrusion of the nozzle connecting portion (121) is providedwith a hole (121 b). This structure allows the nozzle (150) of a cleanerhaving different cross section or size to come in contact with thenozzle connecting portion (121) with reliability, and allows dust to besuctioned and collected through the hole (121 b).

The nozzle connecting portion (121) is a hollow structure, and as shownin FIG. 17, part of the trailing end side (the upper side in thedrawing) of the nozzle connecting portion (121) is provided with anopening (121 c). The opening (121 c) is formed so as to be openobliquely upward from the trailing end side of the hemispherical portionof the nozzle connecting portion (121) to part of the flat plate (121a). The left and right sides of the opening (121 c) are provided withcontacting portions (121 d) which extend obliquely upward from the flatplate (121 a). The contacting portions (121 d) come in contact with theprotrusion portion (126 a) provided at the valve (126) for covering,from inside the upper cover (116), the opening (116 b) for duct that isformed in the upper cover (116). That is, the protrusion portion (126 a)of the valve (126) is provided at both end portions of the valve (126)along the width direction of the valve (126), and curves upward.Therefore, when the nozzle connecting portion (121) moves upward, theprotrusion portions (126 a) of the valve (126) are pushed up by thecontacting portions (121 d) of the nozzle connecting portion (121). As aresult, it is possible to keep the valve (126) open as shown in FIG. 16(B).

The shaft (122) is integrally formed with the flat plate (121 a) of thenozzle connecting portion (121) so as to extend upward. The upper end ofthe shaft (122) is located in a cylindrical guide (116 c) formed on theinner side of the upper surface of the upper cover (116). This structureallows the nozzle connecting portion (121) to move up and down moresmoothly. Further, a spring member (125) is provided on the outerperiphery side of the shaft (122) such that the spring member (125) isinterposed between the lower end portion of the guide (116 c) and theflat plate (121 a) of the nozzle connecting portion (121). The springmember (125) biases the nozzle connecting portion (121) in a downwarddirection (to the lowest point), and allows the nozzle connectingportion (121) to move upward when the nozzle (150) of the cleaner pushesthe nozzle connecting portion (121) from below. The nozzle connectingportion (121) is configured such that the periphery of the flat plate(121 a) comes in contact with the protrusion portion (117 c) of theengagement portion (117 a) of the lower cover (117) when the nozzleconnecting portion (121) is biased in a downward direction by the springmember (125).

According to the above structure, when the nozzle (150) of the cleaneris pushed against the nozzle connecting portion (121) from below, thenozzle connecting portion (121) moves upward against a biasing force ofthe spring member (125), and as a result, the entire opening (121 c)formed in the nozzle connecting portion (121) is open toward the firstspace (114) in the upper cover (116). Further, along with the upwardmovement of the nozzle connecting portion (121), the contacting portions(121 d) provided at left and right sides of the opening (121 c) of thenozzle connecting portion (121) push up the protrusion portions (126 a)of the valve (126) for covering, from inside the upper cover (116), theopening (116 b) for duct that is formed in the upper cover (116). As aresult, the valve (126) is opened, and the suction duct (87) and theinterior space of the nozzle connecting portion (121) communicate witheach other through the opening (116 b) for duct.

In other words, when the nozzle connecting portion (121) is displacedupward, the interior space of the nozzle connecting portion (121)communicates with the interior of the dust collecting box (90) throughthe opening (121 c) formed in the nozzle connecting portion (121), thefirst space (114) in the upper cover (116), the suction duct (87), thedamper box (81), the dust storage container (60), and the transfer duct(88). If the cleaner is actuated in this state, the dust stored in thedust collecting box (90) is suctioned by the nozzle (150) of thecleaner, due to a suction force of the cleaner, through the transferduct (88), the dust storage container (60), the damper box (81), thesuction duct (87), the first space (114) in the cover member (111), andthe nozzle connecting portion (121).

On the other hand, when the nozzle connecting portion (121) is notpushed up by the nozzle (150) of the cleaner, the valve (126) of theopening (116 b) for duct is not pushed up by the contacting portions(121 d) of the nozzle connecting portion (121), and therefore, the valve(126) of the opening (116 b) is closed as shown in FIG. 16 (A). This isbecause the nozzle connecting portion (121) is biased in a downwarddirection by the spring member (125). As a result, the nozzle connectingportion (121) and the suction duct (87) are disconnected to each other,and therefore, dust can be prevented from diffusing into the room.

The side surface and the top surface of the interior side of lower cover(117) is provided with nozzle guide portions (118) for having the nozzle(150) of the cleaner reliably come in contact with the nozzle connectingportion (121). Each nozzle guide portion (118) is a plate-like memberformed across the side surface and the top surface of the interior sideof the lower cover (117), and two nozzle guide portions (118) areprovided for each side of the top surface of the rectangularparallelepiped shaped lower cover (117).

A connecting structure of the flexible duct (87 b) will be described indetail below. As shown in FIG. 18, a connecting portion (131) at whichthe nozzle insertion portion (110) and the flexible duct (87 b) areconnected together includes a first connecting portion (132) provided atthe upper cover (116) of the nozzle insertion portion (110), and asecond connecting portion (133) provided at an end of the flexible duct(87 b) which corresponds to the first connecting portion (132). Thefirst connecting portion (132) and the second connecting portion (133)are engaged with each other.

The first connecting portion (132) is a generally cylindrical memberprovided with a protrusion portion (132 a) which is formed on the outerperipheral surface of the generally cylindrical member and which extendsall around the outer peripheral surface of the generally cylindricalmember. An engagement portion (133 c), described later, of the secondconnecting portion (133) engages with the protrusion portion (132 a).

The second connecting portion (133) includes a main body (133 a) made ofthe generally cylindrical member whose diameter is larger than thediameter of the first connecting portion (132). A claw (133 b) isintegrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body (133a). The claw (133 b) includes: the cylindrical engagement portion (133c) which extends along an axial direction of the flexible duct (87 b)and which engages with the protrusion portion (132 a) of the firstconnecting portion (132); a lever (133 d) which is a protrusionextending in a direction opposite to the direction along which theengagement portion (133 c) extends; and an elastic deformation portion(133 e) which connects the engagement portion (133 c) and the lever (133d) to the main body (133 a) in an elastic manner, at a middle portion ofthe engagement portion (133 c) and the lever (133 d). The lever (133 d)extends radially outward as it is closer to the tip end of the lever(133 d). This structure enables the engagement portion (133 c), whichextends in a direction opposite to the direction along which the lever(133 d) extends, to be displaced radially outward by displacing thelever (133 d) radially inward and causing deformation of the elasticdeformation portion (133 e). In contrast, when the lever (133 d) isreturned to its original position, the engagement portion (133 c) isreturned to its original position because of an elastic restoring forceof the elastic deformation portion (133 e).

Thus, to engage the engagement portion (133 c) of the second connectingportion (133) with the protrusion portion (132 a) of the firstconnecting portion (132), the engagement portion (133 c) is brought intocontact with the protrusion portion (132 a), thereby causing an elasticdeformation of the elastic deformation portion (133 e), whichelastically supports the engagement portion (133 c), and displacement ofthe engagement portion (133 c) in a radially outward direction. As aresult, the engagement portion (133 c) can be engaged with theprotrusion portion (132 a) (see FIG. 18 (B)). On the other hand, todetach the second connecting portion (133) from the first connectingportion (132), the lever (133 d) is deformed in a radially inwarddirection, thereby causing displacement of the engagement portion (133c) in a radially outward direction and separating the engagement portion(133 c) from the protrusion portion (132 a) of the first connectingportion (132). As a result, the engagement portion (133 c) and theprotrusion portion (132 a) are disconnected from each other.

This structure enables the flexible duct (87 b) to be easily attached toor detached from the nozzle insertion portion (110), and therefore, theefficiency in performing maintenance etc. can be improved.

<Attachment Structure>

Next, an attachment structure for mounting, above the ceiling, an indoorunit (3) of the air conditioner (1) that has the above-describedstructure will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

As described above, the indoor unit (3) according to the presentembodiment has the structure in which the main unit (10), the cleaningunit (100) and the decorative panel (11) are stacked to each other in avertical direction. Thus, the cleaning unit (100) and the decorativepanel (11) are mounted above the ceiling after the main unit (10) ismounted above the ceiling. As shown in FIG. 20, the main unit (10) issupported on and suspended from the wall above the ceiling, usingsupport members (140), and at the same time, the decorative panel (11)attached to the cleaning unit (100) with bolts (142) is connected to themain unit (10) with connecting members (141), thereby achieving astructure in which the cleaning unit (100) is sandwiched between themain unit (10) and the decorative panel (11). This attachment structureallows the decorative panel (11) to be attached directly to the mainunit (10), thereby forming a general indoor unit (3) without a cleaningmechanism, even in the case where the cleaning unit (100) is notprovided.

In order to attach the cleaning unit (100) and the decorative panel (11)to the lower side of the main unit (10) mounted beforehand in a spaceabove the ceiling as described above, the main unit (10) and thecleaning unit (100) are provided with hooks (145) (protrusion portions)for temporary hanging and with U-shaped fittings (146) (engagementmembers) for temporary hanging which engage with the hooks (145) asshown in FIG. 19.

Specifically, the main unit (10) is provided with the hooks (145, 145)which protrude toward the interior space of the main casing (18) from atleast two inner surfaces of the main casing (18). Each hook (145) isbent upward at the end of the protrusion, so that the fitting (146) fortemporary hanging does not easily go out of engagement with the hook(145). Further, the hooks (145,145) are positioned at a location lowerthan the bell mouth (24) in the main unit (10), and protrude from thewalls which constitute part of the drain pan (23).

The cleaning unit (100) is provided with the inverted U-shaped fittings(146, 146) for temporary hanging which are located on the top surface ofthe partition plate (25) and which correspond to the hooks (145, 145).That is, the fittings (146) for temporary hanging are located on thepartition plate (25) to provide insertion through holes in which thehooks (145) can be inserted. Further, the partition plate (25) of thecleaning unit (100) is provided with transparent portions (147) locatedclose to the fittings (146) for temporary hanging. The transparentportions (147) are located closer to the center of the partition plate(25) (air filter (30) side) than the fittings (146) for temporaryhanging, so that the areas at which the hooks (145, 145) of the mainunit (10) and the fittings (146) for temporary hanging of the cleaningunit (100) are engaged with each other can be checked when the cleaningunit (100) is attached to the lower side of the main unit (10).

As described above, the provision of the hooks (145, 145) and thefittings (146, 146) for temporary hanging allows the cleaning unit (100)to be inserted between the main unit (10) and the decorative panel (11)attached to the main unit (10), and allows the cleaning unit (100) to betemporarily attached to the main unit (10). As a result, the efficiencyin installing the cleaning unit (100) can be improved.

Moreover, the provision of the transparent portions (147) at locationson the partition plate (25) of the cleaning unit (100) which are closeto the fittings (146) for temporary hanging, enables a visual check ofthe areas at which the hooks (145) and the fittings (146) for temporaryhanging are engaged with each other when the cleaning unit (100) istemporarily hung on the main unit (10). As a result, installation can bemore efficiently accomplished.

<Structure for Maintenance>

A structure will be described below which allows access to theelectrical component box (20) of the main unit (10), with the cleaningunit (100) attached to the main unit (10), at the time of maintenance ofthe electrical component box (20).

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 21-23, the cleaning unit (100) isconfigured such that the air filter (30) and the service cover (106) canbe detached from the cleaning unit (100), and that the service cover(106) and the electrical component box (20) are positioned at locationswhich allow access to the electrical component box (20) of the main unit(10) when the service cover (106) is detached from the cleaning unit(100).

More specifically, the dust storage container (60) and the damper box(81) are rotatable about an axis of the introduction duct (86) connectedto the damper box (81) as described above. Thus, to detach the airfilter (30), the dust storage container (60) and the damper box (81) canbe moved toward a side of the air filter (30) (see FIG. 22). Here, thedust removal position according to the present invention is the state inwhich at least part of the dust storage container (60) overlaps with theair filter (30) in plan view as shown in FIG. 21, and the maintenanceposition is the state in which the dust storage container (60) does notoverlap with the air filter (30) in plan view as shown in FIG. 22.

To rotate the dust storage container (60) and the damper box (81), thetransfer duct (88) which connects between the dust storage container(60) and the dust collecting box (90), and the suction duct (87)(flexible duct (87 b)) which connects between the damper box (81) andthe nozzle insertion portion (110) of the decorative panel (11), need tobe detached. Thus, for easy attachment and detachment, the structures ofthe connecting portions (107, 108) at which the transfer duct (88) isconnected to the dust storage container (60) and the dust collecting box(90), and the structure of the connecting portion (109) at which theflexible duct (87 b) is connected to the damper box (81) (connectingportion (87 a)), are the same as the structure of the connecting portion(131) at which the nozzle insertion portion (110) and the flexible duct(87 b) are connected to each other (see FIG. 18).

Further, the dust collecting box (90) located in the cleaning unit (100)can be detached from the cleaning unit (100). The service cover (106)above the dust collecting box (90) is exposed when the dust collectingbox (90) is detached. The service cover (106) can be detached as well.Therefore, if the air filter (30) and the service cover (106) aredetached in this order as shown in FIG. 23, the electrical component box(20) in the main unit (10) is exposed, and therefore, maintenance of theelectrical component box (20) becomes possible.

—Operational Behavior—

Now, operational behavior of the indoor unit (3) will be described withreference to FIGS. 11 and 13. The indoor unit (3) is capable ofswitching between the normal operation in which cooling and heatingoperations are performed, and the filter cleaning operation for cleaningthe air filter (30).

<Normal Operation>

To perform the normal operation, the rotating brush (51) is rotated sothat the brush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51) can be positioned onthe brush (52) side. In other words, the rotating brush (51) is rotateduntil the brush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51) is not in contact withthe air filter (30) so that the non-brush surface (i.e., the outerperipheral surface of the shaft (51 a) on which no brush (51 b) isprovided) of the rotating brush (51) is opposed to the air filter (30).Further, the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is in the closed state(the state as shown in FIG. 13 (A)). The air filter (30) is notrotating, but is halted.

The indoor fan (21) is actuated in this state. Then, in the indoor unit(3), room air taken through the inlet (13) passes through the air filter(30) and flows into the bell mouth (24). When the air passes through theair filter (30), dust in the air is captured by the mesh member (37) ofthe air filter (30). The air having flowed into the bell mouth (24) isblown out by the indoor fan (21). The blown air is cooled or heated byheat exchange with the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger (22),and is then supplied into the room through each outlet (14). The roomair is cooled or heated in this way. During this operation, the damper(82) of the damper box (81) is closed, and therefore, the air blown bythe indoor fan (21) is not introduced to the dust storage container (60)through the damper box (81).

As described above, the air filter (30) and the brush (51 b) of therotating brush (51) are not in contact with each other during the normaloperation. That is, the brush (51 b) is spaced apart from the air filter(30). It is thus possible to avoid the deterioration of the brush (51 b)due to the state in which the brush (51 b) is always touching the airfilter (30), and as a result, durability of the rotating brush (51) isincreased.

<Filter Cleaning Operation>

During the filter cleaning operation, operation of the compressor (4) isstopped, and the refrigerant does not circulate in the refrigerantcircuit shown in FIG. 1. The filter cleaning operation is capable ofswitching between a dust removal operation, a brush cleaning operation,a dust transfer operation, and a dust discharge operation. The LED (16)provided on the decorative panel (11) is on during the dust removaloperation, the brush cleaning operation, and the dust transferoperation. This structure enables users to be informed that theseoperations are being performed.

The dust removal operation is an operation for removing dust captured bythe air filter (30). The brush cleaning operation is an operation forremoving dust captured by the rotating brush (51). The dust transferoperation is an operation for transferring dust from the dust storagecontainer (60) to the dust collecting box (90). The dust dischargeoperation is an operation for discharging dust from the dust collectingbox (90) to the outside of the indoor unit (3).

According to the present embodiment, the dust removal operation and thebrush cleaning operation are performed alternately. First, the indoorfan (21) is stopped to perform the dust removal operation. Then, thebrush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51) is brought into contact with theair filter (30). In this state, the air filter (30) is turned such thatthe piles of the brush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51) are stroked thewrong way by the air filter (30) (in the direction indicated by whitearrow in FIG. 11 (A)). Here, rotation of the rotating brush (51) isstopped.

In this way, the dust on the air filter (30) is captured by the brush(51 b) of the rotating brush (51) (FIG. 11 (A)). When the lever (44 a)of the limit switch (44) of the filter drive means (40) moves, thefilter drive motor (41) is stopped, and the rotation of the air filter(30) is stopped. In other words, the air filter (30) rotates at apredetermined angle and stops. Thus, the dust is removed from an area ofthe air filter (30) with which the brush (51 b) of the rotating brush(51) is brought into contact. Here, the piles of the brush (51 b) areinclined in a direction opposite to the turning direction (movingdirection) of the air filter (30), and therefore, the dust on the airfilter (30) can be easily scraped off by the brush (51 b). It is thuspossible to increase efficiencies of the dust removal operation by therotating brush (51). As described above, the dust removal operation isswitched to the brush cleaning operation when the rotation of the airfilter (30) stops.

In the brush cleaning operation, the indoor fan (21) is still stopped,and the rotating brush (51) rotates leftward (counterclockwise) first inFIG. 11. Here, the rotating brush (51) rotates such that the brushportion (51 b) in which dust still remains comes in contact with thebrush portion (52 b) of the cleaning brush (52) (FIG. 11 (B)). Therotating brush (51) rotates at a predetermined angle, and then stops.

After that, the rotating brush (51) rotates in a direction opposite tothe above direction (in a rightward (clockwise) direction in FIG. 11).As a result, the dust captured by the brush (51 b) of the rotating brush(51) is removed by the brush (52 b) of the cleaning brush (52) (FIG. 11(C)). This is because the piles of the brush (52 b) of the cleaningbrush (52) are inclined downward, i.e., inclined such that the piles arestroked the wrong way by the rotating brush (51) rotating clockwise, andthereby because the dust adhering to the brush (51 b) of the rotatingbrush (51) is scraped off by the cleaning brush (52).

Further, the main portion (52 a) of the cleaning brush (52) is pushed ina direction away from the rotating brush (51) because of the brushportions (51 b, 52 b) of the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush(52) coming in contact with each other. However, the main portion (52 a)is biased to the rotating brush (51) by the spring (52 c). Therefore,the brush portions (51 b, 52 b) are not spaced from each other, and thecleaning brush (52) is adequately pushed against the rotating brush(51). As a result, the dust can be reliably removed from the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51), and captured in the brush (52 b) of thecleaning brush (52). The rotating brush (51) rotates until it returns tothe original position (the position shown in FIG. 11 (A)) and thenstops.

After that, the rotating brush (51) again rotates leftward(counterclockwise) at a predetermined rotation angle. As a result, thedust captured by the brush (52 b) of the cleaning brush (52) is scrapedoff by the brush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51), and falls in thestorage section (62) of the dust storage container (60) (FIG. 11 (D)).The dust can be scraped off from the brush (52 b) of the cleaning brush(52) because the piles of the brush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51)are inclined along a rotational direction. Here, the cleaning brush (52)is adequately pushed against the rotating brush (51) by the spring (52c), and therefore, the dust can be removed from the cleaning brush (52)more reliably.

In this way, the dust captured by the rotating brush (51) is removed andstored in the storage section (62) of the dust storage container (60).After that, the rotating brush (51) again rotates rightward (clockwise)to return to the original position (FIG. 11 (A)). The brush cleaningoperation temporarily ends here.

After the above-described brush cleaning operation ends, theabove-described dust removal operation is performed again. That is, theair filter (30) is turned again, and is stopped when the lever (44 a) ofthe limit switch (44) is actuated again. As a result, the dust isremoved from an area of the air filter (30) that is stroked by the brush(51 b) of the rotating brush (51), and is captured by the brush (51 b)of the rotating brush (51) (FIG. 11 (A)). The dust removal operation andthe brush cleaning operation are alternately repeated as describedabove, removing the dust on the air filter (30) from an area to an area.When the dust is removed from the entire area of the air filter (30),the dust removal operation and the brush cleaning operation arecompleted. For example, when the lever (44 a) of the limit switch (44)is actuated a predetermined number of times, the air filter (30) isconsidered as having made one turn, and the above operations arefinished.

In the dust removal operation and the brush cleaning operation, theamount of dust stored in the dust storage container (60) is detected bythe storage amount detection means (70). Specifically, luminousintensity of light emitted by the LED (72) is detected by thephototransistor (73). If the luminous intensity detected by thephototransistor (73) is equal to or less than a set value (a lowerlimit), it is considered that the amount of dust stored in the storagecontainer (60) has reached a predetermined amount, and the operation isswitched to the dust transfer operation.

In the dust transfer operation, the rotating brush (51) is stopped atthe position as shown in FIG. 11 (A), and the air filter (30) is stoppedas well. Further, the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is in the openstate (the state as shown in FIG. 13 (B)). The indoor fan (21) isactuated in this state, and therefore, the air blown by the indoor fan(21) is introduced into the dust storage container (60) through theintroduction duct (86) and the damper box (81). Thus, the dust in thedust storage container (60) is transferred into the dust collecting box(90) through the transfer duct (88) together with the air. As a result,the amount of dust stored in the dust storage container (60) decreases,and the luminous intensity detected by the phototransistor (73)increases. When the detected luminous intensity is a set value (an upperlimit) or above, it is considered that almost all of the dust in thedust storage container (60) is discharged, and the dust transferoperation is finished. After that, the dust removal operation or thebrush cleaning operation starts again.

The filter cleaning operation according to the present embodiment isperformed under certain conditions. Specifically, the LED (72) is turnedon after the damper (82) is opened in the dust transfer operation, andluminous intensity of light emitted by the LED (72) is detected. If theluminous intensity is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it isconsidered that the dust in the dust storage container (60) is nottransferred by the air blown by the indoor fan (21), i.e., that thetransfer path from the dust storage container (60) to the dustcollecting box (90) is clogged with dust, or that the dust collectingbox (90) is filled with a large amount of dust. The LED (16) on thedecorative panel (11) is turned on to inform the user about thesituation, and the dust discharge operation as described below isperformed according to the instruction from a remote controller etc. Theabove operation of detecting the luminous intensity of light emitted bythe LED (72) (hereinafter also referred to as “operation of detectingthe state of being filled or clogged with dust”) that is linked with themovement of the damper (82) is performed regularly, e.g., once a week.

In the dust discharge operation, the rotating brush (51) is stopped atthe position as shown in FIG. 11 (A), and the air filter (30) is stoppedas well, as in the above-described dust transfer operation. Further, thedamper (82) of the damper box (81) is in the closed state (the state asshown in FIG. 13 (C)).

In this state, the nozzle (150) of the cleaner is inserted, by the user,in the nozzle insertion portion (110) on the decorative panel (11) forsuction. As a result of the suction, the dust in the dust collecting box(90) is suctioned by the cleaner through the transfer duct (88), thedust storage container (60), the damper box (81), the suction duct (87),and the nozzle insertion portion (110). The dust remaining in the duststorage container (60) is simultaneously suctioned by the cleanerthrough the suction duct (87). As a result, the dust in the dustcollecting box (90) and the dust storage container (60) is dischargedout of the indoor unit (3).

Further, once it is determined that the luminous intensity is lower thana predetermined value, the above operation of detecting the state ofbeing filled or clogged with dust is performed regularly atpredetermined intervals until clogging with dust is eliminated by thedust discharge operation and the dust in the dust collecting box (90) isreduced to a small amount, i.e., until the luminous intensity of thelight emitted by the LED (72) is equal to or greater than thepredetermined value. When the luminous intensity becomes equal to orgreater than the predetermined value, the LED (16) on the decorativepanel (11) is turned off. After that, a general operation of detectingthe state of being filled or clogged with dust is performed, forexample, once a week.

According to the above embodiment, the indoor fan (21) is stopped duringthe dust removal operation. However, the structure is not limited tothis structure, and the dust removal operation may be performed whilethe indoor fan (21) is in operation. This makes it possible to removedust while keeping the dust sticking to the air filter (30) due tosuction of air by the indoor fan (21). Therefore, the dust can beprevented from dropping when removed, and as a result, the dust can bereliably scraped off by the rotating brush (51).

Moreover, not only the dust removal operation, but also the brushcleaning operation, the dust transfer operation, and the dust dischargeoperation may be performed during the air conditioning operation, suchas cooling and heating operations. This allows the air filter (30) to becleaned and the dust to be collected regularly, even during continuousoperation.

Effects of Embodiments

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the indoor unit(3) of the air conditioner (1) is constituted by three component parts(units): the main unit (10) including the indoor heat exchanger (22) andthe indoor fan (21); the cleaning unit (100) including the dust removalmeans (50) for removing dust captured by the air filter (30), and thedust collecting box (90) for collecting the dust; and the decorativepanel (11) for covering the room side. Thus, if the cleaning unit (100)is not necessary, the indoor unit can be constituted by the main unit(10) and the decorative panel (11), and at the same time, it is easy toadd the cleaning unit (100) to the indoor unit.

Moreover, the electrical component box (105) dedicated to the cleaningunit (100) is provided in the cleaning unit (100), separate from theelectrical component box (20) provided in the main unit (10). Therefore,only the electrical component boxes (20, 105) may be electricallyconnected to each other so as to be capable of signal transmission. Thismakes it easier to add or omit the cleaning unit (100) to or from theindoor unit, compared to the case where both of the main unit (10) andthe cleaning unit (100) are controlled by electrical components in oneelectrical component box. Further, the operations of the main unit (10)and the cleaning unit (100) can be linked by the electrically connectedelectrical component boxes (20, 105) capable of signal transmission asdescribed above.

Further, the provision of the above-described cleaning unit (100)enables the dust captured by the air filter (30) to be removed by thedust removal means (50), and after that, to be transferred by the dusttransfer means (80) and stored in the dust collecting box (90). This canreduce the work of cleaning the air filter (30) by the user. Moreover,the nozzle insertion portion (110) for inserting the nozzle (150) of thecleaner is provided to the decorative panel (11) located on the roomside of the indoor unit (3), and the nozzle insertion portion (110) andthe dust collecting box (90) are connected to each other through thedust storage container (60). Therefore, the dust in the dust collectingbox (90) and the dust storage container (60) can be efficientlysuctioned with the nozzle (150) of the cleaner.

Further, the transfer duct (88) extending from the dust storagecontainer (60) is connected to one end of the dust collecting box (90),and the other end of the dust collecting box (90) is provided with thedischarge opening (91) which is open toward the outside of the chambercasing (101) of the cleaning unit (100). This structure allows the airintroduced through the dust transfer means (80) by the air blown by theindoor fan (21) to flow efficiently into the dust collecting box (90).As a result, the dust in the dust storage container (60) can be reliablytransferred to the dust collecting box (90) and stored thereinefficiently.

Further, hooks (145) are provided on the bottom side of the main unit(10), and U-shaped fittings (146) for temporary hanging are provided onthe top surface of the partition plate (25) of the cleaning unit (100).Thus, when the cleaning unit (100) is attached to the bottom side of themain unit (10) after the main unit (10) is fixed to the wall above theceiling, the fittings (146) for temporary hanging of the cleaning unit(100) can be engaged with the hooks (145) of the main unit (10). It istherefore easy to attach the cleaning unit (100) to the main unit (10).Here, the portions where the hooks (145) and the fittings (146) fortemporary hanging are engaged with each other are hidden from viewbecause of the partition plate (25) of the cleaning unit (100). However,the provision of the transparent portions (147) near the fittings (146)for temporary hanging provided on the partition plate (25) allows avisual check of the engagement portions from below during engagement.This can improve the efficiency of work.

Further, the dust storage container (60) is rotatably provided in thecleaning unit (100). The electrical component box (105) and the dustcollecting box (90) are disposed so as not to overlap with the duststorage container (60). The service hole (25 a) to be covered by theservice cover (106) is formed at a location above the dust collectingbox (90). The electrical component box (20) is disposed in the main unit(10) so as to correspond to the service hole (25 a). This structureallows easy access to the electrical component box (20) in the main unit(10) for maintenance by rotating the dust storage container (60) andremoving the dust collecting box (90), the service cover (106), and theair filter (30). Consequently, due to the above structure, theefficiency in providing maintenance for the electrical component box(20) in the main unit (10) can be improved.

Moreover, the transfer duct (88) which connects between the dust storagecontainer (60) and the dust collecting box (90) is connected to the duststorage container (60) and the dust collecting box (90) at theconnecting portions (107, 108). The flexible duct (87 b) which connectsbetween the dust storage container (60) and the nozzle insertion portion(110) is connected to the dust storage container (60) and the nozzleinsertion portion (110) at the connecting portions (109, 131). Theconnecting portions (107, 108) and the connecting portions (109, 131)are configured to have a detachable structure, and therefore, the ducts(88, 87 b) can be easily attached or detached for maintenance. As aresult, working efficiency can be improved.

Other Embodiments

The following structures may be used in the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the dust removed from the air filter (30) iscollected in the dust collecting box (90). However, the structure is notlimited to this structure, but any structure, such as a bag-likestructure, is possible as long as dust can be collected.

Further, in the above embodiment, the dust collecting box (90) isprovided in the cleaning unit (100). However, the structure is notlimited to this structure, but dust collecting box (90) may be providedseparately from the indoor unit (3).

Further, in the above embodiment, air blown by the indoor fan (21) isutilized as means for transferring dust from the dust storage container(60) to the dust collecting box (90). However, the structure is notlimited to this structure, but any structure is possible as long as dustcan be transferred. The structure may include a dedicated fan.

Further, in the above embodiment, the air filter (30) has a circularshape. However, the structure is not limited to this structure, but theair filter (30) may have a rectangular shape, for example. In this case,the air filter (30) and the rotating brush (51) relatively move in alinear manner.

Further, in the above embodiment, the air vent (26) of the partitionplate (25) is provided with four radial beam members (27). However, thestructure is not limited to this structure, but the number of the radialbeam members (27) may be three. In the case where the number of theradial beam members (27) is three, two of the radial beam members (27)may be provided so as to extend from the center of the air vent (26) tothe space between the air vent (26) and the service hole (25 a), and oneof the radial beam members (27) may be provided so as to extend from thecenter of the air vent (26) toward the dust storage container (60), inFIG. 23.

Further, in the above embodiment, the air filter (230) is provided tothe cleaning unit (100). However, in the case where the cleaning unit(100) is removed and the decorative panel (11) is directly attached tothe main unit (10), the air filter may be attached to the decorativepanel on the inner side of the main casing. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 26, a holding portion (213) for holding two opposing ends of theair filter (230) may be provided to the decorative panel (11) on theinner side of the main casing, in order that the air filter (230) can belocated above the slit portion (12 a) of the inlet grill (212) of thedecorative panel (211). In the example shown in FIG. 26, the holdingportion (213) is F-shaped in cross section in order to hold the airfilter (230) at a position spaced apart from the slit portion (212 a) bya predetermined distance. However, the structure is not limited to thisstructure, but any structure is possible as long as the air filter (230)can be held at a position spaced apart from the slit portion (212 a) ofthe inlet grill (212) by a predetermined distance.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present invention is particularly useful for anindoor unit of an air conditioner in which an air filter is provided onthe intake side of an indoor fan.

1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner, the indoor unit having in acasing an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan for blowing air takenfrom a room to the indoor heat exchanger, and an air filter located onan intake side of the indoor fan, the indoor unit comprising: a mainunit including the indoor heat exchanger and the indoor fan; a cleaningunit located on a room side of the main unit and having the air filterand dust removal means for removing dust captured by the air filter; andan indoor panel for covering a room side of the cleaning unit.
 2. Theindoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unitincludes dust collecting means located in an area outside the air filterin plan view, for collecting the dust removed by the dust removal means.3. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 2, wherein thecleaning unit further includes dust transfer means for transferring thedust to the dust collecting means.
 4. The indoor unit of the airconditioner of claim 3, wherein the dust transfer means transfers thedust to the dust collecting means by utilizing the air blown by theindoor fan.
 5. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 4,wherein the dust collecting means is provided with a receiving openinginto which the air blown by the indoor fan flows together with the dust,and a discharge opening for discharging the blown air to the outside ofthe cleaning unit, and a filter is disposed on an upstream side of thedischarge opening.
 6. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 5,wherein the dust collecting means has a box-like shape, and thereceiving opening is formed in one side portion of the dust collectingmeans, and the discharge opening is formed in the other side portion ofthe dust collecting means.
 7. The indoor unit of the air conditioner ofclaim 4, wherein main partition plates covering a bottom side of thecasing of the main unit are provided with an introduction opening forintroducing the air blown by the indoor fan into the cleaning unit, andthe main unit is configured such that a sealing cover for closing theintroduction opening from below can be attached to the main unit.
 8. Theindoor unit of the air conditioner of any one of claims 1-7, wherein thedust removal means includes a dust removal section for removing the dustcaptured by the air filter, and a storage section for collecting thedust removed by the dust removal section.
 9. The indoor unit of the airconditioner of claim 1, wherein the dust removal means is configured tobe capable of moving between a dust removal position at which the dustremoval means overlaps with the air filter in plan view, and amaintenance position at which the dust removal means does not overlapwith the air filter in plan view.
 10. The indoor unit of the airconditioner of claim 9, wherein the air filter has a circular shape inplan view, the main partition plates covering the bottom side of thecasing of the main unit are provided with the introduction opening forintroducing the air blown by the indoor fan into the cleaning unit, andthe dust removal means is arranged to extend in a radial direction ofthe air filter, with one end of the dust removal means connected to theintroduction opening, and is rotatable about the introduction opening.11. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the mainunit and the cleaning unit further include electrical component boxes,respectively, in which electrical components for controlling componentparts in the units are accommodated, and the electrical component boxesare electrically connected to each other so as to be capable oftransmission of an electric signal.
 12. The indoor unit of the airconditioner of claim 1, wherein a bottom side of the casing of the mainunit is provided with a protrusion portion, an engagement portion to beengaged with the protrusion portion is provided on a partition platecovering a top side of the casing of the cleaning unit, and thepartition plate of the cleaning unit is provided with a transparentportion which allows a visual check of the engagement portion betweenthe protrusion portion and the engagement portion from under thecleaning unit.
 13. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1,wherein the cleaning unit includes dust collecting means located in anarea outside the air filter which is circular in plan view, forcollecting the dust removed by the dust removal means, the main unit andthe cleaning unit further include electrical component boxes,respectively, in which electrical components for controlling componentparts in the units are accommodated, main partition plates covering abottom side of the casing of the main unit are provided with anintroduction opening for introducing the air blown by the indoor faninto the cleaning unit, the dust removal means is arranged to extend ina radial direction of the air filter, with one end of the dust removalmeans connected to the introduction opening, and is rotatable about theintroduction opening, the electrical component box for the cleaning unitand the dust collecting means are disposed below a chamber partitionplate covering a top side of the casing of the cleaning unit, in thearea outside the air filter in plan view and outside an area where thedust removal means rotates, and the chamber partition plate locatedabove the dust collecting means is provided with an opening to becovered with a cover member, and the electrical component box for themain unit is located so as to correspond to the opening.
 14. The indoorunit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unitfurther includes dust collecting means for collecting the dust removedby the dust removal means, the dust collecting means is connected to thedust removal means through a duct which constitutes a transfer path, andthe duct is detachably connected to at least one of the dust collectingmeans and the dust removal means.
 15. The indoor unit of the airconditioner of claim 1, wherein the indoor panel has an inlet grill forcovering the intake side of the indoor fan, the inlet grill is providedwith a nozzle insertion portion into which a nozzle of a cleaner can beinserted, and the nozzle insertion portion communicates with the dustcollecting means when the nozzle is inserted into the nozzle insertionportion.
 16. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, whereinthe indoor panel is provided with a holding portion for holding the airfilter.